A NEW METHOD TO REPAIR THE BILATERAL CLEFT LIP NASAL DEFORMITY

ve This article describes a new method to repair the bilateral cleft lip nasal deformity. Methods This technique is that the crosshached areas above the cleft nostril toward the tip of the nose are excised . This is skin only . The incision down the columella across the vestibule of nose and around the ala is a deep incision running all the way through the soft tissue down to the mucous membrance on the each side. At the base of the columella, a forked flap incision is made. The skin over the alar cartilage on each side is completely separated from that cartilage within the incision above the cleft nostril. Once the nostril on the lower lateral cartilage and the ala have been adequately freed , the two nostrils are rotated from lateral to medial and superior to fill in the defects that be created when the crescent of skin be removed, the cartilage can be put into its new position. The lower crura are sutured to one another, the alar cartilages are rotated medially and sutured to one another. The forked flap is advanced upperiorly to form lower part of the columella and bring the nasal tip forward . When the upper lip is deficient, an Abbe flap of the lower lip may be used for upper lip reconstruction . Results The nasal shape, involving the columellar length and the concavity between the nasal tip and lateral ala can be improved . Conclusion This technique is especially useful to repair the bilateral cleft lip nasal deformity.