Fundamentals of Cleft Lip

In this chapter, the most important aspects related to unilateral and bilateral cleft lip are analyzed, placing emphasis on pathological anatomy, ancillary treatments and, especially, the features of the surgical technique for primary lip reconstruction. The reader will be able to identify key anatomical elements involved in labial clefts. The preparation of the patients is discussed, including the basic principles of presurgical orthopedics. The reader will also get familiarized with the crucial details of the surgery, in a step-by-step approach, from the surgical measurements and markings, the infiltration solution, to the final closure. Short- and long-term surgical results are presented.