title: The myomucosal vertical Z-plasty in secondary cleft lip surgery: a novel technique for correction of the whistle deformity.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To describe a novel technique for repair of the whistle deformity in secondary cleft lip surgery.
  
  
  METHODS
  Three patients who presented with a whistle deformity as a sequela of cleft lip surgery and underwent a novel myomucosal vertical Z-plasty tissue transposition at a tertiary academic medical center with a certified craniofacial center were retrospectively reviewed. Photodocumentation provides a measure of the aesthetic results. In the 3 patients, the technique was performed and the whistle deformity corrected such that the free margins of the lips were in full contact with the lips in a neutral resting position. No perioperative or postoperative complications were encountered.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  A novel myomucosal vertical Z-plasty transposition should be added to the tools available to the cleft surgeon for addressing this common defect.
authors.affiliation: Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston.
authors.forename: David A
authors.initials: DA
authors.lastname: Gudis
authors.affiliation: Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston.
authors.forename: Krishna G
authors.initials: KG
authors.lastname: Patel
mesh_terms: D002971:Cleft Lip / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000601:surgery*; D019651:Plastic Surgery Procedures / Q000379:methods*; D012086:Reoperation; D013524:Surgical Flaps; D016896:Treatment Outcome