THE TRIPLE SWING FLAP TECHNIQUE TO CORRECT THE ASYMMETRY OF UNILATERAL CLEFT-LIP NOSE DEFORMITIES

The correction of a nasal deformity is a decisive step in the secondar y treatment of patients with cleft lip and palate. The complex nasal d eformity in these patients is caused partly by the anomaly itself and is partly a result of previous corrective surgery. Correcting the nasa l deformity involves solving four complex problems: the septal deformi ty; the malposition of the exterior nose; the deformity of the nasal t ip; and the deviation of the ala on the cleft side. The stigma of the patients with a cleft is sustained mainly by the asymmetry of the nasa l entrances. Many operations, some of which cause extensive additional scarring, have been suggested for removing this typical feature in pa tients with clefts. We developed a triple swinging flap technique whic h has proved successful when used with an open as well as a closed app roach. This also enables us to achieve symmetry of the nostrils.