An experience of unilateral incomplete cleft lip repair by using bardach's triangular flap

Ryu, Sun Youl; Han, Chang Hun

Abstract

Tennison was the first to recognize and to preserve the Cupid's bow by lowering the peak in the margin of the cleft. Randall had modified the Tennison's repair based on accurate measurements. Bardach's technique evolved from the basic concept of triangular flap cleft lip repair described by Tennison-Randall method. Precise measurements are used to define the dimensions of the equilateral triangular flap, which is created on the cleft side and is inserted into an equilateral triangular defect on the noncleft side. Two symmetrical vertical distances on either side of the cleft are thus formed. It is essential that the incisions in the skin correspond precisely with those on the muscles and mucosa, and that all layers are sutured with the use of the triangular flap, thus preventing vertical scar contracture. This procedure produces a symmetric, balance lip with a well-defined Cupid's bow, a symmetric vermilion, and a properly aligned orbicularis oris muscle. We had treated three patients with unilateral incomplete cleft lip by using Bardach's triangular flap method. The operation scars could be reduced comparing to Millard method because Bardach's method did not use the columella base and the alar base incision. And the flap design was more simple and accurate comparing to Tennison-Randall method. On the other hand, the postoperative scars on the philtrum pointed as a disadvantage of triangular flap method were cosmetically acceptable because the three patients had incomplete cleft lip. We have experienced that Bardach's triangular flap is a recommendable technique for the repair of unilateral incomplete cleft lip.