Abstract:

BACKGROUND: Secondary different-degree nasal deformities often occur after unilateral cleft lip rhinoplasty. It is important to select the appropriate autologous cartilage and biological materials for correction of nasal deformities depending on the characteristics of deformities.
OBJECTIVE: To explore the clinical methodology and effects of implants in secondary unilateral cleft lip rhinoplasty.
METHODS: Thirty-six cases suffering varied secondary nasal deformities of unilateral cleft lip were treated differently according to the deformities diversification. The nasal cartilage and soft tissues were fine anatomic disconnected and reset, and the different implants, including autologous septal cartilage, auricular cartilage, costal cartilage and Medpor surgical implant, were implanted to nasal alar dome sunk, lower lateral cartilage, nasal spine, columella, tip to supply the powerful supporting strength for nasal constructions.
RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: All 36 cases obtained relatively satisfactory results, including nasal alar dome sunk elevated, the nasal alar and nastrils symmetrized, the nasal columella extended and the tip raised. No obvious complications were occurred in donor cartilage sites. All cases were followed up for 1 month to 3 years, the cleft side alar of 2 cases collapsed and the nastril floor widened, the nasal contour and appearance of 34 cases were good. No rejection, displacement and exposure of implants were found. These results supported that implants could effectively enhance and rebuild the nasal supporting constructions and correct nasal deformities of unilateral cleft lip in secondary rhinoplasties. Choosing suitable implants is critical to the unilateral cleft lip rhinoplasty.