Cleft Lip and Palate Resources for Professionals

Cleft lip repair: surgical tutorials

There are multiple surgical techniques commonly employed for the repair of cleft lip. Selection of technique depends on a variety of factors, including the type of deformity and preference of the surgeon.

The following surgical tutorials provide detailed instruction on the common techniques used to repair cleft lip, including three techniques for unilateral cleft lip, and one technique for bilateral cleft lip. They were created for surgeons and trainees to learn about the different techniques used in the surgical repair of cleft lip. These tutorials reflect common usage of several of the most popular techniques and are not intended to replace formal surgical training.

These slideshows are primarily intended for use on tablets or larger screens. Some detail might be lost on mobile screens.

  1. Fisher unilateral cleft repair: A left unilateral complete cleft lip is repaired with the Fisher technique, which employs anatomical subunit principles to guide repair.
  2. Millard unilateral cleft repair: A left unilateral complete cleft lip is repaired with the Millard technique, which employs rotation advancement principles to guide repair.
  3. Mohler unilateral cleft repair: A left unilateral complete cleft lip is repaired with the Mohler technique, which employs rotation advancement principles to guide repair.
  4. Bilateral cleft lip repair: A bilateral complete cleft lip, which has been previously treated with nasoalvoelar molding, is repaired with the Millard-Mulliken technique, which employs reconstruction of the orbicularis oris muscle by advancing bilateral muscular segments.


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Why Choose the Cleft Lip and Palate Program

Founded in 1953 as part of our internationally recognized Facial Reconstruction Center, our Cleft Lip and Palate Program is one of the largest in the nation.

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Diagnosis and Treatment of Cleft Lip and Palate

In this video, clinicians and patient families talk about the diagnosis and treatment of cleft lip and palate, the most common congenital facial anomaly.