OBJECTIVETo explore the correction for shortened and broaden prolabium deformity following bilateral cleft lip repair.

METHODSWe designed the upper lip double flag-shaped flaps. The quadrilateral original surgical scar (flap flag pole part) was resected and the incision was made along the direction of nasolabial groove at the nostrils bottom to form two flag-shaped flaps (the section of the flag face). Lip tubercle were tracted and blunt dissection of upper philtrum were performed to form a wound, 4-6 mm in width. The flag-shaped flaps on both sides were rotated to the central, in order to form a new nasal base and new prolabium, followed by V-Y or Z plasty procedure to correct the defect of tubercle and vermilion.

RESULTS10 cases were enrolled for the clinical application from January 2008 to December 2012. The height of the prolabium was lengthened by 4-6 mm after operation, which fundamentally corrected shortened and broaden prolabium deformity after bilateral cleft lip operation. The procedure can also correct the depression or defect of tubercle, too wide philtrum, philtrum column scar and the deformity of vermilion border continuity. The patients were followed up for a period of 3 months to 3 years with satisfactory results.

CONCLUSIONDouble flag-shaped flaps of the upper lip at the nostrils bottom is a simple and good surgery method to correct the shortened and broaden prolabium deformity following bilateral cleft lip repair.