Clinical investigation for bilateral cleft lip repair: Modified functional bilateral cleft lip cheilorrhaphy

Purpose: To obtain better operative results, a modified functional bilateral cleft lip (BCL) cheilorrhaphy was designed and used on 131 BCL patients to evaluate the clinical effectiveness in this clinical investigation. A new surgical method would be provided for BCL patients. Patients and Methods: Based on the experiences and advantages of the commonly used self-longation and elongation surgical methods for BCL repair, a new surgical method was designed for BCL patients. During the operation, this modified functional BCL cheilorrhaphy emphasized the operative design, anatomy and reposition of musculus orbicularis orbis, management of the maxilla, and reparation of vermilion of the lip. This method was used to repair 131 BCL patients, and the conditions and results of errhysis, swelling, and healing of tresis vulnus were observed and evaluated. Results: This modified functional BCL cheilorrhaphy was used successfully from January 2002 to July 2005 on 131 BCL patients. The wounds of all patients with BCL who joined this study healed very well without any hematoma, infection, or wound decohesion. All of the patients showed symmetric peak of Cupid's bow, obvious philtrum notch, full vermilion of the lip, little scarring, and satisfactory contour. During functional activity, bilateral upper lip was symmetric, coordinated, and balanced. Conclusions: The clinical results showed that modified functional BCL cheilorrhaphy may be accepted as a good selective surgical technique for BCL patients, and is worth generalization and application. (C) 2008 American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons.