The triple swing technique – a method to correct the soft tissue asymmetry in unilateral cleft lip nose deformities

The correction of the nasal deformity in cleft lip patients is not only a decisive step in secondary treatment but also a very important step towards patient rehabilitation. The stigma of the cleft lip patient is mainly exhibited by the asymmetry of the nasal entrances. Many operative procedures, some of which cause extensive additional scarring, have been suggested in order to remove this typical feature in cleft lip patients. Once symmetry in the cartilaginous structures is achieved the problem of considerable soft tissue asymmetry remains. Focusing on that a triple swing flap technique was developed, this has been proved to be a safe and reliable concept to achieve soft tissue symetry of the nostrils in cleft lip patients. So far the method described in this paper has been successfully used in 201 patients. Received: 28 November 1997 / Accepted: 5 January 1998