Surgical modifications for microform cleft lip repairs.

Microform cleft lips are very rare forms of cleft lips, and the timing and methods of surgical correction remain controversial. We reviewed our surgical methods used between 1991 and 2003. There were eight such cases, with patients ranging in age from 3 months to 9 years, who underwent primary repairs, and their outcomes were evaluated. Two different surgical procedures were used, either a conventional linear incision, lower small triangular flap insertion, and orbicularis oris muscle reconstruction, or the two small z-flap approach in which the central philtral muscles are repositioned over the affected philtrum by way of two small z-flaps. Six cases underwent the former procedure, and two cases received the latter. The two small z-flap method was used in milder and more subtle skin furrow cases. There was at least 18 months of follow-up with no noticeable sex distinction or timing of the surgery compared with other cleft lip types. Orbicularis oris muscle reconstruction by way of the intra-oral approach together with vermillion repairs using z-plasty demonstrated satisfactory postoperative results such as nostril symmetry, disappearance of the linear furrow and vermillion notches, and reduced prominence in comparison with conventional small triangular flap repairs, which are used for regular primary cleft repairs at our institute. Small z-flap and muscle repositioning cases, both surgically repaired in infancy, were successfully corrected without noticeable scars in most white lips. Our surgical modification for microform cleft lip repairs is recommended for infant patients to avoid cicatrices in most white lips, especially in milder cases.