Hyaluronic Acid Fillers to Correct Cleft Lip Asymmetry in Adults: Description of Technique and Patient Reported Outcome Measure Using CLEFT-Q.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the efficacy of hyaluronic acid (HLA) lip filler to correct subtle cleft lip asymmetries in adults using a validated patient reported outcome measure (PROM). DESIGN: Prospective cross sectional. SETTING: UK National Health Service. PATIENTS, PARTICIPANTS: Over 18 years old with repaired cleft lip and dissatisfaction of their lip appearance. INTERVENTIONS: HLA lip filler injection. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: A validated, cleft specific PROM, the lip module of CLEFT-Q™ prior to treatment and again after six weeks. RESULTS: 24 patients included. A mean total CLEFT-Q™ score pre-procedure was 14.9 (Stand deviation (SD) = 4.91) and 24 (SD = 6.08) post-procedure. Difference in mean total score pre- and post-procedure were statically significant (P = .0001) in all domains on the CLEFT-Q™. No adverse outcomes. CONCLUSION: HLA filler to correct subtle cleft lip asymmetries in adults is a simple low risk technique, which can significantly improve the patient's perception of lip appearance. CONCLUSION: HLA lip filler to correct subtle cleft lip asymmetries in adults is a simple technique, low risk procedure which can significantly improve the patient's perception of lip appearance.