Evaluation of Flexibility and Thickness of Cleft Lip Scars After Treatment with Microneedling Technique: a Cohort Trial

Introduction: The early surgical treatment of the cleft lip led to a postoperative scar formation which may affect the physiological and psychological aspects of the patient.Objectives: Evaluating the improvement rate of thescar flexibility and thickness of the cleft lip scar after treatment with the microneedling.Methods: Sixteen patients (12 females and 4 males), aged 16-30 years who had a cleft lip scare were included in the current study. All patients suffered from a visible defective scar in the upper cleft lip. All patients were treated with a microneedling pen device combined with topical application of oil-based hyaluronic acid. The procedure was performed in 4 sessions with 3-week intervals between sessions. The scars were assessed by the patient and an external observer using the Patient and Observer Scar Assessment Scale.Results: Thickness of the scar was improved according to the patient and observer opinions (67.28% and 61.55% respectively). Flexibility was improved according to the patient observer opinion (65.57% and 60.25% respectively).Conclusions: Microneedling treatment can be considered as an effective method for the treatment of the defective scars resulting from the cleft lip plastic surgery. The microneedling technique is a simple, easy, safe, non-invasive, and low-cost procedure.

Automated summary

This study evaluated the improvement rate of scar flexibility and thickness after treating cleft lip scars with microneedling. The results showed that microneedling treatment effectively improved the thickness and flexibility of the scars, suggesting it as an effective method for treating scars resulting from cleft lip plastic surgery.