Bilobed mucosal flap for correction of secondary lip deformities following cleft lip surgery

Background: Upper lip whistling deformities, asymmetric upper lip thickness and insufficient vermilion tubercle often occur simultaneously in an affected individual. Unfortunately, these deformities cannot be corrected by a single conventional method. Here, we describe a new technique, using a vermilion-bilobed flap, to address the triplex of deformities simultaneously.

Methods: A total of 30 A Thirty patients were included in this study. Their ages ranged from 10 to 35 years. The flap consisted of two lobes: one lobe of the flap was located at the oral mucosa of the prolabium, which allowed for correction of the whistle deformity as well as augmentation of the vermilion tubercle; the other was located at the vermilion mucosa on the lateral side of the cleft, which effectively repaired oral mucosal defects. Quantitative measurements of the vermilion shape were performed before surgery and 6 months postoperatively.

Results: All patients healed well with no complications of the flaps.The gross appearance of the vermilion was significantly improved. Normal tubercles were restored and symmetric profiles of vermilion were achieved. All the patients were satisfied with their final appearance.

Conclusions: The bilobed vermilion mucosal flap is a safe technique, easy to perform and effectively corrects the combined secondary deformities associated with cleft lip surgery.