Reconstruction of philtrum crest and philtrumwith orbicularis oris muscle intertangling and philtrum plasty in secondary cleft lip repairing / 中华医学美学美容杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective:To introduce a reliable and easy method of philtrum crest and philtrum repairing in secondary repair of cleft lip.Methods:Lift the upper lip flap after removing the scar on upper lip. Then the superficial orbicularis oris muscle was carefully separated, which formed the abnormal muscular eminence in the affected side after the first cleft lip repair. The pedicle of the orbicularis oris muscle the reconstructing philtrum crest. The lingual orbicularis oris muscle flap was lifted and curled from outside. The superficialorbicularis oris muscle was cut in philtrum longitudinally and turned outward. The two evertedorbicularisoris muscle flaps were sutured on both sides and fixed them on the reconstructing philtrum crest. The exposed deep orbicularis oris muscle in philtrum was sutured with the upper dermis, which formed the prominentphiltrum crest and deeper philtrum.Results:We reviewed the hospital records of patients from July 2008 to November 2021. In total, 201 patients were included in this study. All of these patients underwent the reconstruction of philtrum crest and philtrum with orbicularis oris muscle intertangling and philtrum plasty in secondary cleft lip repairing. During the treatment, the patients had no complications such as infection, hematoma and flap necrosis.198 patients were observed from 1 months to 36 months (7.8 months on average). All of them improved in different degrees in early postoperative period. Most reconstructed philtrum crest was raised and basically symmetrical with the contralateral side in shape. The philtrum was clear and the scar was not obvious. The reconstructed philtrum crest would decrease with time. 91.7% (90/98) patients were satisfied with the postoperative effects after three months.Conclusions:The method of reconstruction of philtrum crest and philtrum with orbicularis oris muscle intertangling and philtrum plasty in secondary cleft lip repairing is safe and effective. The long term postoperative effect is stable with high satisfaction as well. As a result, this method can be used as the philtrum crest and philtrum correction scheme for secondary cleft lip repairing.