The Reconstruction of the Central Tubercle in Bilateral Cleft Lips: Bilateral Lateral Mucosal Advancement Flap With Reinforcement of the Orbicularis Oris Muscle.

BACKGROUND: There are various methods to correct the whistle deformity in bilateral cleft lip. In case of the central deficiency with concomitant lateral excess, local tissue rearrangement can be used to reposition the lateral tissue. We designed bilateral lateral advancement flap with reinforcement of the orbicularis oris muscle.

METHOD: Thirteen bilateral cleft lip patients with whistling lip deformity from July 2009 to February 2017 underwent our method of tubercle formation. Vertical upper lip measurements of upper lip were recorded. Augmentation percentage was documented using follow-up measurements compared with preoperative measurements. The average follow-up period was 16.2 months (range, 9-26 months). The axis of the flap and central incision were placed on the red line (wet-dry vermilion border). Dissection was performed through the submucosal plane. After entire dissection, inter-orbicularis oris muscle suture on both medial edge of the flap was performed. In case it was necessary, back-cutting incision on both curvature of the central orbicularis oris could facilitate central augmentation. Elevated superior and inferior trap-door flaps were trimmed to make natural central lip line along with the lateral mucosal flaps. Both lateral parts of vermilions were closed in V-Y advancement fashion.

RESULT: The vertical height of central tubercle (T) had a mean increase of 136.9%, which was significantly different from preoperative measurement (P < 0.05). There were no surgical complications.

CONCLUSIONS: Our surgical method is safe, useful, and effective to correct the whistle deformity of the central deficiency with concomitant lateral excess.