White Roll Vermilion turn down flap in primary unilateral cleft lip repair: A novel approach

Comparative Study between Modified Millard and White Roll Vermilion Flap Techniques in Unilateral Lip Repair: A Randomised Controlled Study

BACKGROUND

Cleft lip and palate, which affects 0.5-1.6 out of every 1000 live births, is the most prevalent congenital defect of the head and neck. Several approaches, including quadrangular flaps, triangular flaps and rotation-advancement procedures, White Roll Vermilion Turn Down Flap (WRV flap) from the lateral lip element were employed by Mishra to modify Millard's technique to create the vermilion and white roll on the medial lip segment. This study aimed to use the anthropometric measurements taken pre- and post-operation to evaluate quantitative assessment of modified Millard technique compared with WRV flap technique in unilateral cleft lip (UCL) repair.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Prospective, randomised controlled study recruited infants scheduled for UCL repair. Infants aged 3-6 months, either complete or incomplete deformity. A total of 42 patients were randomized in 1:1 ratio to undergo either WRV flap technique (group A) or modified Millard technique (group B) and another control included 21 age-matched healthy children. We compared WRV flap procedure to Modified Millard's procedure in terms of both qualitative (another surgeon's opinion) and quantitative (anthropometric) evaluation.

RESULTS

Vertical lip length and philtral lip height significantly longer in Millard group (B) than WRV flap group (A) in immediate postoperative assessment and nasal width was significantly wider in WRV flap group (A) than Millard group (B) in 3-month post-operative assessment. The lip shape, the vermilion shape was better in Millard technique than WRV flap technique; however, this was statistically insignificant. However, no major difference in the overall results between the WRV flap and Millard rotation-advancement repairs.

CONCLUSION

Anthropometric measurement of surgical outcome evaluates the surgical technique used and helps to compare between cleft and non-cleft side showing the degree of deformity and we used subjective assessment to analyse facial aesthetics. Overall results demonstrate no significant differences between modified Millard technique and WRV flap technique.

A New Technique of Unilateral Cleft Lip Repair with Scarless Cupid's Bow Peaks

BACKGROUND

A novel technique for primary unilateral cleft lip repair with scarless Cupid's bow peaks is described. This technique focuses on the curvature of the Cupid's bow and the preservation of the minute three-dimensional structure around the cleft-side peak of the Cupid's bow, such as the cutaneous roll and white skin roll. This technique has been used in 50 consecutive unilateral cleft lip repairs by a single surgeon.

METHODS

The flap from the lateral lip is expanded into a three-stair flap, including a lateral white lip flap, a cutaneous roll flap, and a quadrangular mucovermilion flap as partial flaps. The cleft-side peak of the Cupid's bow is made to form a curved peak with the cutaneous roll. The suture lines pass through the lip columellar crease, philtrum ridge, and upper lip groove. These lines are stepwise, just like W-plasty, and do not cross the peak of the Cupid's bow. Measurements were obtained from three-dimensional photographs, and a visual assessment was performed by standard photographs taken 1 year or later postoperatively with no additional surgery, except for palatoplasty.

RESULTS

The Noordhoff point was kept as the peak of the Cupid's bow with no scar. The three-dimensional structure, including the cutaneous roll around the cleft-side peak of the Cupid's bow, was well maintained.

CONCLUSION

The present technique allows for the fashioning of a reliable intended peak of the Cupid's bow without scarring on its point and preserves the three-dimensional structure, including the cutaneous roll.