Bad Results in Unilateral Cleft Lip Surgery

Unilateral deformity is the most common form of presentation of cleft lip. Around 90% of cleft lip have unilateral cleft lip. Most of them involve the gums and palate. Bad outcomes associated with its surgery are due to inadequate performance by the surgical team. These events can be prevented by carefully preoperative evaluation to determine the cleft’s degree of severity and select an adequate surgical technique to address this problem. The most common bad results after cleft lip surgery are lip asymmetries (whistler deformity and long lips), white roll malalignment, vermillion deficiencies, sequels associated with muscular repair, scarring sequelae, and nose deformities. Management of secondary unilateral cleft lip deformities requires an interdisciplinary diagnosis and management considering patient condition, number of previous surgeries, and patient or parent’s expectation.