Objective: This paper introduces a surgical technique for vestibuloplasty after secondary alveolar bone grafting of patients with cleft lip and palate (CLP). This paper also reports on the patients who underwent this modified vestibuloplasty.
Surgical procedure: The vestibuloplasty technique described in this paper consists of: (1) reduction of submucosal scar tissue of the upper lip, (2) V-Y plasty of the superficial mucosa, (3) placement of horizontal mattress sutures between nostril floor skin and freed marginal mucosa, (4) application of artificial skin to cover the exposed periosteal surface, and (5) use of a removable retention splint.
Conclusion: This surgical procedure appears to be very useful for patients with CLP. The technique enables the surgeon to obtain an adequate sulcus depth around the graft area. In addition, this technique releases the mucosal scar contraction and improves the shape and mobility of the upper lip.