Photogrammetric assessment of the soft tissue profile in unilateral cleft lip and palate.

OBJECTIVE

To describe the soft tissue profile of children with unilateral cleft lip and palate from profile photographs and assess the reliability of this method.

DESIGN

Retrospective analysis of prospectively collected data.

SETTING

A national study in the United Kingdom.

SUBJECTS: Caucasian children born in the United Kingdom between April 1, 1982, and March 31, 1984, and aged between 12 and 14 years at data collection. A cleft side and noncleft side profile photograph was available for each of 175 children.

METHOD: Seven angular measurements were made using Dentofacial Planner Plus software, and the profile appearance was rated by an expert panel.

RESULTS

Reliability for repeated measurement of the same photograph was acceptable for all but li-sm(s)-pg(s) (labiomental fold). Similar levels of reliability were found when comparing measurements from the cleft side and non-cleft side photograph. Logistic regression showed that the variables nst-sn-ls (nasolabial angle), ss(s)-n(s)-pg(s) (maxillary prominence), and g(s)-prn-pg(s) (facial convexity) were associated with the profile score.

CONCLUSIONS

Soft tissue profile analysis from photographs is reliable and robust under a range of conditions. Soft tissue profile measurements are associated with panel ratings of profile.