Objective: The long-term postoperative outcomes of two different orbicularis oris muscle reconstruction techniques in patients with unilateral incomplete cleft lip were compared.
Methods: Forty-seven patients with unilateral incomplete cleft lip were assessed in this study, where 23 underwent a traditional method of reconstruction and 24 underwent a novel method. Preoperative measurements, postoperative results, and three-year follow-up outcomes were measured by photographic anthropometric analysis. Five upper-lip measurement indices and eight nostril indices were included.
Results: The postoperative outcomes showed that the shape of the lip and nose was more symmetrical with the new surgical method compared with the conventional technique. Long-term outcomes after three years, although characterized by minimal changes during maxillofacial development, showed better maintenance of lip and nostril symmetry in the novel-method group.
Conclusion: The novel technique seeks to balance the perinasal and perioral muscles, resulting in improved symmetry compared with the traditional reconstruction technique.
Copyright © 2023 by the American Society of Plastic Surgeons.