Primary Rhinoplasty in Unilateral Cleft Lip

Overview

This is a structured educational article with stated learning objectives, not a study. Chong, Tanikawa and Fell review the embryologic and anatomical basis of the unilateral cleft nose, the key challenges in achieving symmetry when the nose is corrected with the primary lip repair, and the trade-offs among surgical approaches.

Sections of note

• Aims of primary cleft rhinoplasty: reposition the alar base, centre the columella, improve tip projection, and minimise tissue trauma and growth impairment.
• Approaches compared: open, closed and conservative techniques for the nasal tip.
• Roles of septoplasty, alar base repositioning and tip manipulation are analysed.
• Emphasis on consistent postoperative care and systematic long-term documentation.

What it means for a patient

• Parents of an infant with a cleft lip should expect the nose to be addressed at the lip repair, with further refinement possible as the child grows.
• The balance is between early symmetry and protecting nasal growth.
• The article is a framework for surgeons; it does not compare results.

Why this paper matters

It is a current authoritative overview for surgeons in training on a complex area of cleft care. Limits: review, no data.

Terms

• Cleft lip nasal deformity: the flattened, displaced nostril and tip that accompany a cleft lip.
• Alar base: where the nostril meets the cheek and lip; displaced in clefts.
• Septoplasty: straightening the septum.
• Conservative technique: minimal-dissection tip correction to limit growth disturbance.