Evaluating the Efficiency of Using the Alar Flap in Primary Repair of Complete Unilateral Cleft Lip

Abstract

Objective of the Study:

The study aims to provide an initial evaluation of the effectiveness of the nasal wing flap technique in the primary repair of unilateral complete cleft lip.

Materials and Methods:

The study included 10 patients (5 males and 5 females) aged between 3 to 6 months, who had not undergone any prior surgical intervention on the lip. The study aimed to assess lip and nasal symmetry 15 days and 6 months postoperatively. This small sample size was selected to conduct an exploratory study focusing on the clinical feasibility of the technique before conducting larger studies. Clinical monitoring involved taking frontal photographs of the patients to evaluate lip and nasal symmetry at 15 days and 6 months after the surgery.

Results:
The results showed an improvement in the height of the cutaneous lip 15 days after surgery, with the mean value of the difference in cutaneous lip height between the cleft and non-cleft sides being 15.10. This improvement persisted at 6 months postoperatively, with no statistically significant difference in the cutaneous lip height difference between 15 days and 6 months post-surgery (p-value > 0.05). The results also demonstrated vertical symmetry of the nasal wings 15 days after surgery, which was maintained at 6 months postoperatively.

Conclusion:
This preliminary study suggests that the nasal wing flap technique may be promising but requires further evaluation in future studies with larger sample sizes and longer follow-up periods.