Abstract: Objective: To evaluate the effectiveness of diced costal cartilage wrapped in rectus abdominis fascia as nasal dorsum graft in the correction of secondary unilateral cleft lip nasal deformity. Methods: A retrospective study was performed on 35 patients with secondary unilateral cleft lip nasal deformity between January 2020 and April 2022. The patients admitted to the Hospital of Stomatology of Wuhan University, including 21 males and 14 females; aged 16-32 years. The autologous costal cartilage-based open rhinoplasty was used for the treatment, and nasal dorsum augmentation using the diced costal cartilage wrapped in rectus abdominis fascia technique. Preoperative and postoperative photos were taken in the anteroposterior position and lateral positions, and the facial profile aesthetic angle indicators were measured. Patients'subjective satisfaction, complications including graft resorption, warping, and visibility were recorded and evaluated. Results: The incisions healed by the first intention after the operation, and no complications such as cartilage exposure or acute infection occurred. All 35 patients were followed up for 6 to 16 months. During the follow-up, the patient's nasal shape remained good, the nasal dorsum was raised, and improvement of dorsal aesthetic lines was achieved. The nasal tip and columella were basically centered, the tip definition was improved, and the collapse of the affected side of the nasal alar was lessened significantly than preoperatively. None of the patients had cartilage warping, visibility, and absorption. The indexes of nasofacial angle, nasomental angle, tip rotation, and the ratio of bilateral nostril axis angle were significantly improved after the operation when compared with preoperatively(P<0.05). All of the patients' nasal deformities were greatly improved, and they were satisfied with the effectiveness. Conclusion: Diced costal cartilage wrapped in rectus abdominis fascia can be used for nasal dorsum augmentation in secondary unilateral cleft lip nasal deformity. The postoperative efficacy was stable and patients' satisfaction rate was high. This technique has promotion significance in clinics.

Key words: secondary unilateral cleft lip nasal deformity, rectus abdominis fascia, diced costal cartilage, cleft rhinoplasty, nasal dorsum graft