[Application of mortise-tenon orbicularis oris muscle flap for philtrum column deformity secondary to unilateral cleft lip repair].
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the effectiveness of the mortise-tenon orbicularis oris muscle flap for philtrum column deformity secondary to the unilateral cleft lip repair.


METHODS
Between January 2009 and August 2011, 43 patients with philtrum column deformity secondary to unilateral cleft lip repair were treated. There were 23 males and 20 females with an average age of 23.6 years (range, 18-31 years). The left philtrum column was involved in 26 cases, and the right side in 17 cases. Cleft lip was repaired with Millard I in 15 cases and with Millard II in 28 cases. The time between cleft lip repair and philtrum column deformity correction was 15-30 years (mean, 21.7 years). The bilateral double orbicularis oris muscle flap was obtained, and then was divided horizontally into two layers. The overlapping suture of the bilateral lower muscle flap was perfomed, and the upper layer muscle was designed into the mortise-tenon orbicularis oris muscle flap and was sutured with contralateral skin.


RESULTS
All incisions healed by first intention. Forty cases were followed up 13.4 months on average (range, 6-34 months). The patients achieved satisfactory effects in bilateral symmetry philtrum column and normal concave shape. At 6 months after operation, significant improvement was observed in 38 cases and no obvious improvement in 2 cases.


CONCLUSIONS
The mortise-tenon orbicularis oris muscle flap is a simple operation and can obtain good results in the appearance and function of the upper lip in the correction of philtrum column deformities secondary to the unilateral cleft lip repair.
Department of Plastic Surgery, People's Hospital of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, Nanning Guangxi 530021, PR China. zhugefei@21cn.com
Gefei
G
Zhu
Hui
H
Mai
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002971:Cleft Lip / Q000601:surgery*; D005152:Facial Muscles / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008046:Lip / Q000002:abnormalities* / Q000601:surgery; D008297:Male; D009667:Nose Deformities, Acquired / Q000601:surgery; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000601:surgery; D019651:Plastic Surgery Procedures / Q000379:methods*; D013524:Surgical Flaps; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult