Reconstruction of the vermillion for bilateral complete cleft lip.

The whistling deformity occurs frequently after reconstruction of the bilateral cleft lip, especially when the patient's prolabium is small. Because it is difficult to correct, it is preferable to use an operative technique during primary reconstruction that does not result in this deformity. The method of using a unique pattern for the vermillion flap in all cases of bilateral cleft lip repair eliminates the problem of the whistling deformity and, at the same time, results in a natural looking vermillion.