[Three-dimensional analysis of the morphology of philtrum and philtral dimple of unilateral cleft lip/cleft lip and palate patients before and after secondary cleft lip and nose repair].

The purpose of this study is to measure the morphology of the nose and lip of unilateral cleft lip/cleft lip and palate (UCL/UCLP) patients with a three-dimensional (3-D) digitizer before and after secondary cleft lip and nose repair, and to compare them with normal adults, as well as to investigate the effectiveness of philtrum plastic surgery. This study includes 21 UCL/CLP patients who received the same operation. We used 12 normal adults as the control group. We took facial impressions at the time of pre-operation and six months after operation, and constructed the models using hard plaster. These plaster casts were used as materials in this study. The control materials were also made from normal adults in the same manner. All the measurements were taken using calipers and the depth of the philtral dimple was measured with a 3-D digitizer. The distance between the inside of the eye and the alar base, the distance between the bilateral alar bases, the distance between the columella base and the alar base were measured. The length of philtrum ridge showed obvious signs of improvement, and was almost the same as normal adults after our surgical approach. The width of the philtrum and the depth of the philtral dimple of UCL/CLP patients were improved after secondary cleft lip and nose repair. However, further treatment is still essential for better aesthetics and recovery.