A 5-Step Simplification of the Fisher Anatomical Subunit Cleft Lip Repair

Unilateral cleft lip repair methods have evolved from straight-line repairs to geometric procedures, rotation-advancement, and contemporary hybrid techniques. The Fisher anatomical subunit repair is a versatile, effective, and highly reproducible technique. It utilizes mathematical precision in design, avoids multi-point closure, minimizes scar burden, and does not compromise horizontal lip length for vertical height in various deformities. Despite these benefits, the repair has been criticized for its complexity. We describe a five-step distillation of the repair intended to clarify the procedure and provide adoptees an entry point to the benefits of the technique.