Figure 7.

Cleft lip (A) is the most common congenital malformation of the head and the third most common birth defect. Surgical repair is the only treatment for cleft lip and usually happens during the early months of life. Failure of resolution of acute inflammation after cleft lip repair surgery will lead to chronic inflammation with scarring and fibrosis (B). Modulation of inflammatory resolution pathways in acute and chronic wounds via the topical application of LXA₄-ME and other Specialized Pro-resolving Mediators (SPMs) can optimize wound healing (C) and is a promising therapeutic avenue to reduce scarring after cleft lip repair surgeries and other surgical wounds.