Correction of a Secondary Bilateral Cleft Lip Nasal Deformity in Adults Using Repositioning of Both Lower Lateral Cartilages and Nasal Tip Plasty Through an Open Bilateral Reverse-U Incision.

BACKGROUND

Correcting a secondary bilateral cleft lip nasal deformity is very complex with many challenges due to its complexity. This study presents the surgical results after correcting a secondary bilateral cleft lip nasal deformity using isolation and repositioning of the lower lateral cartilages, the columellar strut, and an onlay graft on the nasal tip.

METHOD

Eighteen patients who had bilateral cleft lip nasal deformities and who had surgery performed between September 2013 and December 2019 were included in this study. The age of the patients ranged between 19 and 52 years. Open rhinoplasty with bilateral reverse-U incision was performed. The lower lateral cartilages were isolated and repositioned. Nasal tip support is provided using a columellar strut with a septal cartilage or Medpor strut. In the vertical component of the nasal tip, a conchal cartilage graft was used. The mean follow-up period was 2 years (ranging from 1 to 6 years).

RESULTS

Fourteen of the 18 patients underwent photogrammetric evaluation. After surgery, the projection of the nasal tip and angle increased, but nasal bridge length decreased. The columella-labial angle significantly increased by 10.1% after surgery which was statistically significant (P < 0.05). The angle between the nostril axes significantly decreased by 46.2% postoperatively and also reached statistical significance (P < 0.05), indicating that the displaced alar base and lower nostril sill improved and the major axis of the nostril changed more vertically oblique. All patients were pleased with their surgical results.

CONCLUSION

The proposed technique was highly effective in correcting secondary bilateral cleft lip nasal deformities in adults.