THE SPLIT-LIP ADVANCEMENT TECHNIQUE (SLAT) FOR THE TREATMENT OF CONGENITAL SINUSES OF THE LOWER LIP

In this paper we present 7 cases of Van der Woude syndrome and describ e a new surgical technique for the treatment of congenital sinuses of the lower lip. Our technique is essentially a new modification of the elastic lip flap technique of Goldstein. We term this procedure the sp lit-lip advancement technique, in which two opposite labial artery-bas ed flaps including the whole thickness of the vermilion and the mucosa l surface of the lip are used to repair the median defect that resulte d from excision of the sinuses. To our knowledge, there have been no r eports of the use of this technique in the treatment of congenital sin uses of the lower lip.