The Bilateral Cleft Lip Nose Deformity

The bilateral cleft lip nose deformity also may also have a wide spectrum of presentations; therefore, its treatment may vary according to patient characteristics. The complete bilateral cleft lip and palate has complex structural support characterized by a prominent premaxilla and lateral hypoplastic maxillary segments. The impact of these alterations is clearly reflected in the nasal aesthetic and function, as indicated by the absence of columella and wide nostrils. Compared with complete forms, incomplete and microforms are associated with mild nose deformities; these differences should be well considered in order to develop an adequate strategy for restoring the anatomy with aesthetic and functional purposes. The bilateral cleft lip nose requires surgeon’s skills and experience to achieve successful outcomes considering that this type of cleft is less frequently observed and requires more time to develop enough experience to treat it. This chapter describes the characteristics of different types of bilateral cleft lip and the nature of the associated nose deformity.