Repair of unilateral cleft lip: the rotation-advancement operation.

The most obvious deformity in a unilateral cleft of the lip is asymmetry of the lip and nose. Operation must repair the cleft, lengthen the lip, restore muscle continuity, and create an adequate labial sulcus. Simultaneous correction of the nasal deformity should be carried out to the greatest extent possible at the same time. The rotation-advancement repair has advantages over other repairs in scar placement, correction of the nasal deformity, and conservation of lip and nose tissue. If revision of the lip or nose is required, it can be accomplished more easily following the rotation-advancement repair than other techniques.