Restoration of Sensibility Following Intentional Infra-Orbital Nerve Transection in Unilateral Cleft Lip Repair

Introduction:  Repair of the wide cleft lip in which presurgical orthopedics is not used can present challenges to achieving a tension-free reconstruction. In order to limit tension during wide cleft lip repair, we routinely sacrifice the infraorbital nerve during mobilization of the lateral lip elements. The aim of this study is to evaluate the medium term sensibility outcomes after infraorbital nerve transection during radical cheek dissection at the time of wide cleft lip repairs.

Methods: A 3-year single-surgeon retrospective review of patients undergoing unilateral cleft lip repair with radical cheek dissection was performed. Radical cheek dissection was defined as supraperiosteal dissection across the face of the maxilla as far superior as the infraorbital rim, transecting the infraorbital nerve. Recorded variables include age at time of sensory exam, other diagnoses, and results of Semmes-Weinstein monofilament testing (4.31, 3.61, and 2.83 levels) on the side of surgery and the unoperated side. 

Results: Fifty-seven patients underwent unilateral cleft lip repair during the study period and 9 patients met inclusion criteria. The mean age at time of sensory examination was 4.9 years (range 3.9 to 6.2 years). Nine patients had intact lip sensibility on the operated side when stimulated with the finest Semmes-Weinstein monofilament (2.83). There were no patients that had a difference in sensibility compared to the control side. 

Conclusions: Transection of the infraorbital nerve during primary cleft lip repair has no detrimental effect on upper lip sensibility. There should be limited concern for sacrifice of upper lip sensibility during lateral lip mobilization.