Surgical results of primary lip repair using the triangular flap method for the treatment of complete unilateral cleft lip and palate: a three-dimensional study in infants to four-year-old children.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate morphological problems for children with complete unilateral cleft lip and palate (UCLP).

DESIGN AND

SETTING

A cross-sectional study was performed on 46 patients with complete UCLP at Osaka University Dental Hospital.

PATIENTS AND

PARTICIPANTS

The method was applied to three groups of children with UCLP (8 4-month-old infants, 18 1.5-year-old children, and 20 4-year-old children).

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The three-dimensional coordinates of facial landmarks were extracted automatically from XYZ data sets and from photo images produced by an optical surface scanner.

RESULTS

The intercanthal distance, nose width, and mouth width were closer to those of normal children in the older group. Deviation of the columella toward the noncleft side was smaller in the 4-year-old group. The angle of the nasal tip was large in all groups. Asymmetry of the ala was conspicuous at the upper part of the nose in the vertical dimension. Asymmetry of the nostril was observed in the vertical dimension and in the anteroposterior dimension in the 4-year-old group. The angle of the Cupid's bow was obtuse on the noncleft side, and the bottom of the Cupid's bow deviated toward the cleft side. The Cupid's bow was longer on the noncleft side. Protrusion of the vermilion was poor in all groups.