Primary Bilateral Cleft Lip-Nose Repair: The Tawanchai Cleft Center's Integrated and Functional Reconstruction

摘要

Background: The repair of a bilateral cleft is more difficult than a unilateral repair because of numerous anatomical challenges, such as difficulty of repairing the skin and muscle overlying the protruded premaxilla and bilateral nasal reconstruction with shortening of the columella. An optimum outcome is achieved when all of the deformities of the primary cleft palate, the problems of scar and secondary deformities have been addressed. Objectives: To propose an integrated and functional reconstruction of the primary bilateral cleft lip-nose repair and to present the preliminary outcomes of this technique and its advantages. Material and Method: An integrated, functional reconstruction process includes: 1) analysis of the bilateral cleft deformities; 2) interdisciplinary management and use of Tawanchai Center's protocol for cleft lip and palate care; 3) pre-surgical orthopedic treatments; and, 4) integrated primary cleft lip-nose repair and post-operative management. This approach to repair includes: 1) design of a prolabialflap and a modified, rotation advancement technique for skin surgery; 2) functional muscle reconstruction; 3) correction of nasal deformities and columella lengthening; 4) reconstruction of the vermillion; and, 5) final skin closure. Results: Between 2002 and2010, this technique was performed and evaluated on 42 patients who received primary bilateral cleft lip-nose repair, including 31complete, 6 incomplete and 5 right complete and left incomplete, 27 males and 15 females. Six parameters (scar, Cupid's bow symmetry, vermillion border symmetry, philtrum anatomic fidelity, muscle function and nasal symmetry) were used for evaluating the results, based on 4 scales (0-3) by 2 plastic surgeons. Among the mean scores better rating scales were achieved in philtrum anatomic fidelity (0.69) and Cupid' bow symmetry (0.76) while the mean of the less satisfactory rating scale was found in scar (1.13) and nasal asymmetry (0.96). These preliminary outcom...