[Cleft nose correction in unilateral cleft formation].

There is much controversy in the literature concerning how to handle the nasal deformity in patients with cleft lip. This is a challenging problem that needs an exact analysis, careful planning and an atraumatic operative technique. We present our experience of 239 patients with cleft noses, treated from 1980 to 1988, and suggest a new technique for the correction of the asymmetrical alae. Symmetrical nostrils are achieved by two local flaps, either by the external or the intranasal approach.