Unilateral cleft lip repair

Cleft lip is one of the most commonly encountered craniofacial deformities. While comprehensive management of this deformity requires a multidisciplinary team approach, this article is specifically focused on the surgical management of the unilateral cleft lip deformity. As evidenced by the multiple techniques that have been developed for its repair, a functionally and aesthetically pleasing result is challenging to attain. Optimal surgical repair requires a thorough understanding of the underlying anatomy, which is reviewed. Generally, all methods of repair recognize that each structural component of the lip, skin, muscle, and mucosa, must be individually repaired but differ in their placement of the cutaneous incisions and how those incisions permit gains in lip height. This article reviews pre and postoperative management and gives special attention to the rotation advancement, Fisher subunit, and Tennison Triangle techniques of repair.