Closed Rhinoplasty and Dental Implant Restore Confidence in Young Man with Cleft Lip and Palate Deformity

A young man born with a unilateral cleft lip and palate deformity underwent corrective surgery as an infant. However, the passage of time led to a nasal deformity, nasal asymmetry, and a prominent lip scar.

These concerns, along with the upcoming start of his post-graduation journey, prompted him to seek further corrective surgery.

Choosing the Right Treatment

After extensive research, the patient and his parents chose our hospital for his corrective surgery. During the initial consultation, a comprehensive examination revealed the missing lateral incisor, lip scar, and nasal deformity. The patient’s desire to address all these issues was carefully considered when formulating the treatment plan.

Expert Treatment Plan for Optimal Results

Due to the patient’s desire for minimal scarring, a closed rhinoplasty was chosen. This technique ensures zero visible scarring by making all incisions inside the nasal cavity. Additionally, the treatment plan included:

• Rib bone and costal graft harvesting: These grafts were used for alveolar grafting and nasal augmentation, respectively.
• Dental implant placement: A dental implant was placed at the missing lateral incisor site, followed by bone grafting to promote osseointegration and bone graft consolidation.
• Closed rhinoplasty: The lower crus of the lateral cartilage was excised, followed by tunnelling of the costal graft to augment the nasal bridge. This created a sharper nasal profile.
• Lip scar revision: Excess scar tissue from the cleft lip surgery was excised, and the incision was closed with fine sutures.
• Alar base narrowing: This final procedure addressed the patient’s concern with the broad alar base.

Remarkable Cosmetic Correction and Enhanced Confidence

The combined procedures resulted in a significant improvement in the patient’s appearance. His nose was now in harmony with his facial features, and the closed rhinoplasty provided optimal results with minimal scarring. This successful surgery not only addressed the patient’s cosmetic concerns but also boosted his confidence as he embarked on his post-graduation journey.