Clinical evaluation of microform cleft lip surgery.

The definition of microform cleft lip and the dilemma surrounding its surgical correction were reviewed. A modified Williams method for assessing cleft lips was employed by two panels (each of four evaluators) with 24 patients who had similar deformities and corrective operations. In 20 patients the results appear to have justified the surgery, but in the remaining 4, who were less seriously deformed, the perceived improvement was minimal or even nonexistent. The perceptions and wishes of the parents and patient must also be considered in determining the success of this procedure, which was not done in this study.