Symmetry in nasolabial area of UCCL patients one year after primary lip repair with modified Millard technique.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to assess the nasolabial symmetry of unilateral complete cleft lip patients repaired by West China modified Millard technique. STUDY DESIGN: Photographs of 31 unilateral complete cleft lip patients were taken before, immediately after, and 1 year after the surgery. Photogrammetric measurements were taken to evaluate nasolabial symmetry. RESULTS: Symmetry for the christa philtri point was attained immediately after the surgery and maintained in the 1-year follow-up. The cheilion point and the sub alare point, however, did not achieve symmetry until 1 year after surgery. The alar point, unfortunately, never achieved satisfactory symmetry in this study. The ratio of symmetry for none of the above-mentioned facial landmarks had linear correlations with the width of the fissure or other facial anthropometric measurements. CONCLUSIONS: Symmetry could be achieved in most of the nasolabial anthropometric landmarks after our modified Millard procedure.