Secondary surgical treatment of intranasal deformities of the unilateral cleft palate nose.

Intranasal as well as external nasal repair is desirable in the total repair of the unilateral cleft palate nose and in many instances can be achieved concurrently. Carefully performed septal reconstruction will correct the nasal obstruction due to the severe septal deviation to the cleft side and the usual caudal dislocation to the uninvolved side. Since a minimal amount of cartilage is removed, good support is maintained for the cartilaginous dorsum. Appropriate management of the turbinates, including extraction, infraction, submucous intramural electrocoagulation, or partial submucous resection will improve the functional result. Because of the better positioning of the septum, some of the alar and columellar abnormalities may be cosmetically improved, and repositioning of the ala or columella will enhance the esthetic appearance.