ABOUT THE PROJECT
The Tajima Repair is a surgical technique for correcting cleft lip nasal deformity. It begins with marking a reverse U incision on the ala, symmetrical to the non-cleft side. The procedure involves extensive undermining of the skin from the underlying cartilage. A cleft nasal retractor is used to aid in placing suspending sutures, which are passed through mucosa, cartilage, and skin. Three key sutures are used: from ipsilateral upper lateral cartilage to lateral cleft ala, contralateral upper lateral to just lateral to the cleft ala dome, and from dome to dome. The skin envelope is freed from both upper and lower lateral cartilages bilaterally. Clear nylon sutures are passed through various points of the nasal structure using the retractor. Finally, the sutures are tied, positioning each to match the normal side. The extra tissue from the initial flap provides additional lining. This technique aims to achieve symmetry and proper nasal structure in cleft lip patients.