Secondary cleft rhinoplasty

Abstract

The cleft nasal deformity seen in patients with unilateral and bilateral cleft lip presents a formidable challenge for the facial plastic surgeon. The underlying anatomic deformities combined with scarring from previous procedures make secondary cleft rhinoplasty a difficult procedure for even the most experienced surgeons. Numerous techniques for secondary cleft rhinoplasty have been described in the literature over the past several decades, yet the lack of wide adoption of any given technique highlights the great variability seen with this problem. Regardless, the fundamental goals of achieving nasal symmetry with definition of the nasal base and tip, correction of nasal airway obstruction, and repair of nasal scarring or webbing have driven the progressive evolution of techniques developed to correct various aspects of the cleft nasal deformity. Despite the number of techniques that have been published, very few studies have looked specifically at outcomes in secondary cleft rhinoplasty, and further work is needed in this area. In this article, we will review anatomy of the cleft nasal deformity, repair strategies and timing, surgical techniques for both unilateral and bilateral cleft nasal deformity, and outcomes for secondary cleft rhinoplasty.