title: Update on primary cleft lip rhinoplasty.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The optimal timing and techniques utilized to address the nasal deformity of the cleft lip continue to raise challenges and debate for the surgical community. There has been a shift in the paradigm addressing the nasal deformity to a more proactive approach. The goal of this article is to provide an update of the latest techniques for primary cleft rhinoplasty.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A medical literature search was performed specifically targeting primary cleft rhinoplasty in order to review the current strategies implemented, including presurgical orthopedics, surgical incisions, reconstruction, and suture techniques.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Today primary rhinoplasty is performed widely with many investigators reporting improved esthetic and functional outcomes. Both endonasal and external rhinoplasty approaches have been described for the unilateral and bilateral deformity. Goals include closure of the nasal floor and sill, symmetry of the alar base, and symmetry of the lower lateral cartilages with appropriate projection of the dome. Recent literature supports that rhinoplasty performed at the time of the primary cleft lip closure may reduce the frequency and magnitude of required intermediate and definitive rhinoplasty operations.
authors.affiliation: Department of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina, USA.
authors.forename: David A
authors.initials: DA
authors.lastname: Gudis
authors.forename: Krishna G
authors.initials: KG
authors.lastname: Patel
mesh_terms: D002971:Cleft Lip / Q000601:surgery*; D004210:Dissection / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D055171:Nasal Cartilages / Q000601:surgery; D009300:Nasal Septum / Q000601:surgery; D012225:Rhinoplasty / Q000379:methods*; D013536:Suture Techniques; D016896:Treatment Outcome