A geometrically sound technique of vermilion repair in unilateral cleft lip

SummaryIn unilateral cleft lip, there is always a deficiency of vermilion on the medial side of the cleft, which can be augmented by techniques using excess vermilion from the lateral side of the cleft, like the use of a simple V-advancement flap. We developed a modification of Noordhoff's lateral vermilion flap that preserves the parallel relationship of the muco-vermilion line and the white roll but improves results in unilateral cleft lip patients. In a study of 30 patients undergoing surgical repair of complete unilateral cleft lip, we found that this method offers a superior alternative to the straight-line repair. This geometrically sound technique for vermilion reconstruction offers the cleft surgeon a simple and effective method for augmenting total lip height and creating a normal appearing Cupid's bow.