Seven-year Outcomes of Millard’s Advancement Rotation Technique: A Comparative Study from Northeast Nigeria

Abstract Background: Understanding long-term anthropometric differences between the repaired cleft and non-cleft sides following cheiloplasty is important for evaluating surgical effectiveness and guiding improvements in technique. Such analysis, particularly over the long term, is limited in sub-Saharan Africa. Aim and Objectives: This study aimed to compare lip length differences between the repaired cleft and non-cleft sides in patients with unilateral cleft lip and palate (UCLP) seven years after primary cheiloplasty with Millard’s advancement-rotation. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional comparative study of UCLP patients at the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital (UMTH) was conducted. Lip–nose anthropometric differences between repaired cleft and non-cleft sides, observed seven years after cheiloplasty using Millard’s advancement rotation technique, were assessed with 2-dimensional photogrammetry. Data analysis was performed using SPSS version 26.0, and the results were presented in tables and figures. Results: The study included 30 participants aged 7 years; the majority were female, with 88% being 3 months old at the time of surgery, and most clefts were left-sided. There was a statistically significant mean difference in vertical lip height (VLH) of 4.592593±1.381872 mm ( P = 0.0026). No statistically significant differences were observed in HLH, NW, and PH between the cleft and non-cleft sides. Conclusion: The vertical lip height on the repaired side was shorter than on the non-cleft side, while other parameters remained symmetrical seven years after Millard’s repair. This indicates a need to counsel parents about the potential for VHL shortening with this technique over the long term.