The "Anatomical Balance Correction" for Secondary Cleft Lip Nasal Deformities.

Secondary cleft lip nasal deformities corrective procedures are still a major concern for the maxillofacial surgeons.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was twofold, to present a new "anatomical balance" correction for the correction of secondary cleft nose deformities and to evaluate it through a long-term follow-up study.

PARTICIPANTS: One hundred twenty patients with cleft lip and palate and secondary nasal tip deformities were recruited for this study. The age ranged from 22 to 39 years (mean: 25.9 years old).

MAIN OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS: The stability of the functional aesthetic result has been evaluated by means of an aesthetic protocol completed with a set of 10 photographs.

RESULTS: The 3 years follow-up study of 120 patients supports the results of the newly introduced technique that guarantees a better shaping of the nasal tip without further need of another correction procedure.

CONCLUSIONS: Results indicate that the treatment of secondary cleft nose defects with the "anatomical balance" method gives an improvement of the tip projection by means of various techniques, thus avoiding further surgical procedures.