A PRELIMINARY-REPORT ON ONE-STAGE OPEN TIP RHINOPLASTY AT THE TIME OFLIP REPAIR IN BILATERAL CLEFT-LIP AND PALATE - THE ALOR-SETAR EXPERIENCE

This paper is a preliminary report on a strategy to perform open tip r hinoplasty at the time of lip repair in bilateral cleft lip and palate deformity. This method was devised to suit unique socio-economic circ umstances in the Malaysian centre of Alor Setar. Of 8 cases having sur gery in 1991, 7 returned for follow-up with results being documented p hotographically. It is concluded that this aggressive approach is just ified in severe bilateral cleft lip and palate deformity because of th e cost effectiveness of limiting the number of interventions. Furtherm ore, it provides optimally orientated nasal tip anatomy and reduces th e social stigma of cleft lip nose appearance from the earliest possibl e time in the child's development.