Fig. xxii. [102]
The Operations for Harelip, though all conducted on the same general principles, vary considerably in extent required according to the position and size of the fissure or fissures to be remedied.
1. For Single Harelip.—Where the fissure extends only from the prolabium up to the attachment of the lip to the gums: this is very easily remedied, the chief risk being lest the surgeon should not remove enough of the edges of the fissure.
Operation.—Bleeding being controlled by an assistant, the surgeon fixes a pair of spring artery forceps into the mucous membrane and skin at the salient angle at each side of the fissure. Taking one of these in his left hand, he puts the edge to be pared on the stretch, and then with a sharp narrow straight bistoury he transfixes the lip at the point just beyond the upper angle of the fissure, and cuts outwards, being careful to remove the whole thinner part of the lip, and to leave the edge rather concave than convex. If left convex, or even quite straight, there is a risk that, after union has taken place, an angle remain showing the position of the cleft. The same is then to be done on the other side. The bleeding is then to be controlled by twisting the larger vessels, and if oozing still continues from the smaller ones, a pad of lint should be placed in the wound, and a few minutes' delay given, as, to facilitate immediate union, it is of the greatest importance that all hæmorrhage should have ceased before the edges are brought together.
When the bleeding has ceased, the edges should be approximated by two or more points of interrupted metallic suture inserted very deeply through the tissues, and taking a good hold of the edges of the wound. If the edges do not fit accurately, one or two horse-hair sutures will help. Some surgeons still prefer the old harelip needles secured by a figure-of-eight suture. A silk suture inserted through the prolabium is of great advantage, as it keeps the inner surface of the wound closed, which without it is very apt to be kept open by the pressure of the teeth or gums, and in infants by the movements of the tip of the tongue.
Various methods have been devised to utilise, if possible, the portion of the edge of the lip which is separated during the operation of refreshing the edges, for the purpose of filling up the sort of cleft or gap which is apt to be noticed at the edge of the prolabium. The most ingenious and simplest of these is that proposed by M. Nelaton, for use in cases where the fissure does not extend so far up as the nose. It consists in leaving the two portions which are pared off (Fig. xxiii.) the sides of the cleft attached to each other as well as to the free edge of the lip, then pulling them down, so as to bring their bleeding surfaces into apposition, and make a diamond-shaped wound instead of a triangular cleft (Fig. xxiv.) When brought together by sutures a projection is left at the edge of the lip; this, in most cases, disappears; if it does not, it can easily be pared down.
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Fig. xxiii. [103] |
Fig. xxiv. [104] |
2. When the fissure, though single, extends upwards into the nose, the operation is more difficult, and the result frequently less satisfactory. The first thing to be done is to separate the lips from the gums, so as to make them more freely mobile. The whole edges of the cleft require refreshing.