Evaluation of the Effect of Fat Grafting in the Correction of Secondary Cleft Lip Deformities

Background: The individual with a cleft lip will requireseveral surgical procedures during the patient early life. It iscritical to prioritize treatment of secondary abnormalities andtherefore reduce the number of necessary interventions.Objective: Fat grafting represents a minimally invasivetechnique, and we aimed to evaluate the effect of fat grafting incorrecting secondary deformities post cleft lip repair.Patients and Methods: This prospective clinical trial includes30 patients with secondary deformities post cleft lip repair.This study was conducted at Kasr El-Ainy, Cairo UniversityHospitals, Plastic Surgery Department, between October2019 and May 2021. All patients received a fat injection to thelip and were evaluated using pre and postoperative ultrasonographyand photo graphometry (image J), the Vancouver scarscale, and the patient satisfaction questionnaire.Results: There were statistically significant differences inscar width in bilateral cases (right scar 4.1062 Vs 3.7923) (leftscar 3.7985 Vs 3.5146) and lip thickness in both unilateral andbilateral cases using ultrasonography, and statistically significantdifferences in scar width, vermilion Hight, and nasolabialangle by photograph meter, and statistically significant differencein preoperative and postoperative Vancouver scar scale,with overall very good patient satisfaction.Conclusions: Fat injection should be considered a therapeuticoption in managing secondary lip deformities, particularlythe volume deficiency, mild to moderate vermilion notching,and wide depressed scars, as it is a simple procedure withminimal and almost no complications.