Two Cases of the Incomplete Upper Median Cleft Lip: New Classification

ABSTRACT

A median cleft lip has been broadly defined as any congenital vertical cleft through the center of the upper lip. In the Tessier 0 cleft, the location of the median cleft of the upper lip has a spectrum of dysmorphic gradation. This varies from a simple central vermillion notch to a wide cleft accompanied by a bifid nose and hypertelorism. Despite its extreme variability, the median cleft is quite rare and has a reported incidence amongst cleft patients alone of 0.43 to 0.73%. We experienced two cases of incomplete median cleft lip without other craniofacial anomalies. One of them who had reverse V-shaped defect of upper vermilion and fibrous band in her oral mucosa, was corrected with orbicularis oris muscle union and Z-plasty. The other patient had triangular shaped upper lip and deficiency of vermilion. We reviewed the classifications of median cleft lip and devised new classification, so that it helps understanding of median cleft lip.