A Normative Observational Study of the Relationship of the Philtral Ridges to the Columellar Base in South-Indian Population and its Significance on Cleft Lip Repair

Introduction The philtral ridges form a prominent visual landmark in the upper lip. An aesthetically pleasing cleft lip repair should restore this preferably without any scars cutting across it. Although there are several scientific publications on morphology of this structure and its variations, very few studies on the Indian population have been published.

Aim To study the morphology of the philtral ridges and their relationship to the columellar base in normal Indian children and its significance in cleft lip repair.

Methods 115 normal healthy children from southern India aged between one and 12 years were studied based on direct observation of the relationship of the superior end of the philtral ridge to the columellar base and nasal sill. In type A, the philtral ridge terminates at the nasal sill just lateral to the columellar base, and in type B, it either reaches or fades before reaching the columellar base. All observations were performed by the first author by examining standardized two-dimensional (2D) photographs of the upper lip-nose complex.

Results In this study, 74% of the subjects had the philtral column extending lateral to the columellar base.

Conclusion These finding assume a significance since, in a substantial proportion of the studied population, techniques of cleft lip repair such as the rotation advancement method, place a scar that crosses the upper third of the philtral ridge which may be undesirable.

Acute aortic thrombosis in patients receiving cisplatin-based chemotherapy

The increased risk of thrombosis in patients with active cancer has multiple causes. Acute thrombosis of the aorta is an exceedingly rare but potentially devastating complication in patients with cancer receiving cisplatin-based chemotherapy. Prompt diagnosis and definitive treatment are imperative to decrease morbidity and mortality. Early diagnosis is difficult because initial presentation is often nonspecific, requiring a high degree of clinical suspicion. We report 4 cases of acute thrombosis of the abdominal aorta in patients with cancer receiving cisplatin-based chemotherapy. We review the clinical aspects, recommended investigation, and treatment of this potentially fatal complication.