rotation advancement flap

rotation advancement flap

flap employed in various designs for unilateral or bilateral cleft lip; has two compartments: the cleft side of the lip is "rotated" downward by means of a releasing incision at the base of the nose, and the noncleft edge is "advanced" into the resulting nasal and lip opening. The design has the advantages of discarding very little tissue in an area congenitally deficient, and of placing the scar in a location that simulates the normal philtral column. Originated by D.R. Millard.