Abstract: Objective To evaluate the effectiveness of mucochondrial Z plasty in correcting the collapse of lower lateral cartilage in the ala and nostril shaping. Methods From Dec. 2011 to Jun. 2013, 46 patients with unilateral cleft lip and nasal deformities were admitted for a secondary rhinoplasty. All the patients were treated with mucochondrial Z-plasty plus locking stitch suture of greater alar cartilage and lateral nasal cartilage to correct the ala and nostril deformities. The width of nostril and the inclination of columella were measured and analyzed. Results The width of nostrils, the inclination of the columella and the symmetry of the nasal tip and ala were all improved significantly after the surgery. Forty-one patients were followed up for 6 months, mild recurrence were observed only in 3 patients, while their data were still much better than that of preoperation. Conclusion The mucochondrial Z-plasty can effectively correct the ala and nostril deformities of patients with unilateral cleft lip.

Key words: Unilateral cleft lip, Secondary rhinoplasty, Nasal deformity, Z-plasty