Management of the cleft lip deformity

Repair of the unilateral cleft lip deformity is a challenging and rewarding procedure. Historically, many techniques have been described to reconstruct the unilateral cleft lip. These have included straight-line repairs and various geometric flap closures. The rotation-advancement flap technique of Millard is a reliable and versatile method for repair of the unilateral cleft lip deformity. This technique allows lip repair and tip rhinoplasty while camouflaging the scars in the newly formed philtral border. If properly applied, the rotation-advancement repair produces excellent functional and aesthetic results (Figs. 18A and 18B).