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 micro-needling. 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.