Correction of unilateral cleft lip nose deformity using nasal alar rim flap.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to show the use and effectiveness of nasal alar rim flap on the correction of unilateral cleft lip nasal deformity.

METHODS: Thirty-one patients (age range, 10-29 years; mean, 15.1 years; 14 male and 17 female patients) with unilateral cleft lip underwent rhinoplasty surgery using alar rim flap. The excessive skin of nasal alar was marked, then a skin flap was raised. This flap can be transferred medially (type 1) or laterally (type 2) to narrow the nostril or to augment the nasal sill and, of course, to correct the alar web deformity. Preoperative and postoperative photographs were measured for photogrammetric analysis in 16 patients.

RESULT: The alar rim flap used in patients with unilateral cleft lip made the nostrils more symmetrical. The nostril sill was augmented with flap type 1. The alar base width was narrowed with flap type 2 (P = 0.03). The alar web deformity was corrected.

CONCLUSIONS: The alar rim flap could be an ideal treatment option for correction of alar web deformity in patients of unilateral cleft lip.