Repairing the cleft lip nasal deformity.

OBJECTIVE: The repair of the cleft lip nose and nasal deformity remains a challenging endeavor for reconstructive surgeons. Psychosocially, this complex, multifaceted deformity significantly stigmatizes the patient. Numerous techniques have been advocated by multiple authors for the treatment and reconstruction of these deformities, usually requiring serial staged reconstructions. METHOD: Described is our technique for early primary repair of the cleft lip nasal deformity. The use of multiple suspension sutures to repair the nasal defect facilitates the repair of even very wide cleft lips. CONCLUSIONS: These maneuvers provide an aesthetic and functional repair of the nasal defect in conjunction with the lip repair. Long-term results have minimized the need for surgical revision.

A simplified technique of otoplasty: the temporary Kaye suture.

The prominent or lop ear is often characterized by the absence of the antihelical fold. Various methods have been described to correct the deformity. Many involve placement of permanent sutures to reform the cartilage into the proper shape to correct the deformity. Marking the antihelical fold on the cartilage can be difficult and time-consuming when performing an otoplasty. By placing several percutaneous stay sutures from the anterior we are able to adjust the level of fold finely on the antihelix. We describe a technique that is simple, quick, and precise.

Replantation of an amputated upper lip.

Soft tissue defects of the face are a difficult reconstructive problem. Replantation of large amputated segments of the face has been rarely successful and has lagged well behind extremity trauma due in part to the relative rarity of these defects. Presented is a case of successful microvascular replantation of half of the upper lip after a dog bite.

One-stage closure of the entire primary palate.

Timing of the closure of the anterior palate and alveolus is a subject of debate. Late repair of this defect is complicated by high fistula formation and subjects the patient to the problems of palate fistula for extended periods of time. We have utilized a single procedure performed when the child is 3 months of age that completely closes the anterior hard palate and alveolus along with the cleft lip. Our series consisted of 61 consecutive patients with unilateral clefts of the primary and secondary palate. Mucosal turnover flaps from the vomer along with lateral nasal mucosal flaps provide the nasal lining. A buccal sulcus flap with a Veau flap completes the oral repair. Ninety-five percent (58 of 61) of the patients had complete and stable closure of their anterior palate and alveolus after 1 year. The incidence of fistula formation in our series (3 of 61) is much lower than that reported with the utilization of other protocols. Excellent exposure of the anterior palate and alveolar defect during lip repair, early restoration of anatomic relationships, establishment of a good nostril floor and sill, and very low fistula formation are among the benefits of this procedure. The increase in operative time is considered minimal in light of aforementioned advantages.

Perfusion washout: increasing a microvascular free flap tolerance to ischemia.

Thirty-five Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into control (non-exsanguinated) groups of 8 and 10 hr of ischemia, and exsanguinated groups of 8, 10, 14, 16, and 18 hr of ischemia. Free flaps based on the superficial inferior epigastric artery were anastomosed to the contralateral femoral vessels after their designated ischemia period. Reperfusion was assessed by measuring fluorescein uptake in the free flaps after clamp release. In the exsanguinated groups, 100 percent (5/5) of the 8-hr, 10-hr, and 14-hr ischemia groups survived; 80 percent (4/5) of the 16-hr ischemia group free flaps survived; and none (0/5) of the 18-hr ischemia flaps survived. In the control groups, 100 percent (5/5) of the 8-hr ischemia flaps survived, while none (0/5) of the control 10-hr ischemia flaps survived. Fluorescein uptake correlated well with flap survival. By exsanguinating an experimental microvascular free flap prior to its ischemia period, it is possible to dramatically increase flap tolerance to ischemia.