The Abbe island flap for the correction of whistle deformity.

An Abbe flap with the skin removed was used in four cases of whistle deformity after bilateral clefts. The Abbe flaps were converted into island flaps by incising the mucosa all around the pedicle. The results obtained were considered to be superior to those obtained by using neighbouring tissues from the upper lip as more bulk was supplied as well as a perfect lining for the reconstruction of the tubercle of the upper lip vermilion. The balance between the lips was improved. The technique is recommended for patients with severe shortage of vermilion in the midline.