J Korean Soc Plast Reconstr Surg.  1997 May;24(3):495-502.

FORMATION OF PHILTRAL COLUMN WITH PALMARIS LONGUS TENDON IN THE CORRECTION OF UNILATERAL CLEFT LIP NOSE DEFORMITY

• Youn DY
• Yun SH
• Oh JW
• Kim DI

Abstract

A multitude of methods for correction of the residual cleft lip nose deformity have been developed. Inspite of the development it appears that no one procedure has achieved satisfactory results. In addition, the appropriate timing for surgical correction still remains unsettled. The philtrum plays a keyhole in the appearance of the upper lip and nostril sill. But the formation of philtrum with muscle flap or conchal cartilage have been resulted in a unsatisfactory aesthetic outcome. We performed 26 cases of the correction of unilateral cleft lip nose deformity between May 1993 and September 1996, and we always used autogenous palmaris longus tendon for reconstruction of philtral column and nostril sill augmentation. Palmaris longus tendon creates a more definite philtral unit comparing to other materials which have been used and it is easy to harvest and transfer and it does not affect normal function of the hand. And we followed up all patients and confirmed that disappearance of newly formed philtrum is rare. In conclusion, this study shows that autogenous palmaris longus tendon is a useful material for reconstruction of philtral column.

MeSH Terms

Cartilage
Cleft Lip*
Congenital Abnormalities*
Hand
Humans
Lip
Nose*
Tendons*