A Comparative Study of Cronin Triangular Flap and Rotation-Advancement Repair in Unilateral Complete Cleft Lip

Ryu, Sun Youl; Yun, Cheon Ju

Abstract

The present study was carried out to compare the postoperative results of Cronin triangular flap and Millard rotation-advancement repair techniques in repairing the unilateral complete cleft lip. Thirteen patients with unilateral complete cleft lip underwent 6 Cronin triangular flap and 7 Millard rotation-advancement repairs at the Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery of Chonnam University Hospital over a period of 6 years (January 1994 to December 1999). The surgical results following the operation were assessed on the basis of scoring, vertical lip length and scar hypertrophy. The mean score was better in Cronin triangular flap group(74.77+/-0.86) than in Millard rotation-advancement group(66.50+/-1.14) for both lip and nose segments. Scar hypertrophy developed in the Millard rotation-advancement repair group with 28.6% incidence but not in the Cronin triangular flap group. No significant difference was found in the ratio of lip length between Millard rotation-advancement repair and Cronin triangular flap groups(0.73+/-0.10 and 0.80+/-0.96). These results suggest that Cronin triangular flap shows better results than Millard rotation-advancement repair in repairing the unilateral complete cleft lip.