Moustache restoration after cleft lip repair

Abstract

Background: We strive to achieve a functional and aesthetic repair in cleft lip patients bestowing them with all natural landmarks and making the evidence of the repair undetectable for better quality of life and complete social acceptance. The last to offer is a moustache for an adolescent male cleft lip patient. Aim: The current study is a review of moustache restoration carried out for patients after cleft lip repair. It includes 18 cases with a follow-up of 6 months to 2 years. Materials and Methods: Follicular unit extraction using 0.9 mm motorized punches is the preferred technique. Alternative method is follicular unit transplant strip technique, where individual hair follicles are dissected for a 0.5-0.6 cm × 5-6 cm strip of scalp. Each follicle serves as a micro graft. Grafts are implanted in premade needle tracks flush to the skin. Spacing is 2-3 mm in the first sitting. Second sitting may be planned 6-8 months later to add density. Results: Hair growth along the scar is delayed, it begins 4-5 months after the transplant, and complete growth is seen by 6 months. There can be 7-10% loss of grafts. Conclusion: Follicular unit micro grafting can be used for restoration of moustache after a complete cleft lip repair. Moustache provides animation of the face, restoration of aesthetic landmark, taking away the typical cleft lip look and building up confidence of the patient.

Keywords

• cleft lip
• follicular unit extraction
• follicular unit transplant
• hair transplant
• moustache