Modified Rotational Advancement Technique for Primary Unilateral Complete Cleft Lip Repair

Importance: Leveling Cupid's bow while maintaining lip height and width in unilateral complete cleft lip patients with improved nose outcomes is a significant challenge for surgeons. Objective: This study aimed to measure the symmetry of the nasal and labial anthropometric points after using this modified cleft lip repair technique. Design, Setting, and Participants: In this retrospective study, 72 consecutive nonsyndromic unilateral complete cleft lip patients underwent a modified rotational advancement technique. Photos of at least 1 year follow-up period were collected. Main Outcomes and Measures: The nose measurements included columella length, nostril height and width, ala width, nostril inclination, columella angle, and ala bases angle. The lip measurements included lip height and width, vermillion height; midline-philtrum angle, and angles of Cupid's bow peaks. Descriptive quantitative analysis of the lip and nose measurements, intraclass correlation coefficient, and ANOVA tests were conducted. Results: Well-aligned Cupid's bows with symmetrical lip height and width were obtained with satisfactory aesthetic nasal outcomes. Conclusions: The present technique had leveled the Cupid's bow while preserving the lip height and width, with resultant satisfactory nasal outcomes.