Primary Repair in Patients With Unilateral Complete Cleft of Lip and Primary Palate: Assessment of Outcomes.

OBJECTIVE: Asymmetry of median facial structures is a major concern for patients with unilateral cleft lip and palate, and the principal goal of its treatment is to restore symmetry. Unilateral complete cleft of lip and primary palate (UCCLPP) is an uncommon subgroup and rarely reported. Patients with UCCLPP have protruding and deviating premaxilla, rendering a primary repair difficult. This study evaluated consecutive patients with UCCLPP and presented their treatment outcome.

METHODS: We assessed 36 patients with UCCLPP and collected clinical information. Surgical repair was performed at 3 months of age by using a modified rotation-advancement method and primary nasal reconstruction. A single surgeon performed all surgical procedures. A postoperative nasal stent was used for 6 months. Follow-up standardized photographs were collected. Landmarks were identified, and nose and lip dimensions measured. The ratios of the corresponding parameters (cleft vs noncleft side) were obtained for evaluating nose and lip symmetry.

RESULTS: No surgical complication was noted in any patient. The overall lip and nose outcome after the primary repair were adequate, and all ratios were close to 1. The nostril width was slightly wider on the cleft side, but the alar width and height were acceptable. The lip heights were balanced between the 2 sides. Patients who received presurgical nasoalveolar molding did not show more favorable lip and nose dimensions, except for the medial philtral height.

CONCLUSION: Even in the presence of protruding and deviating premaxilla, our patients with UCCLPP obtained adequate lip and nose outcome after undergoing primary lip repair and nasal reconstruction.