Lip-Nose Morphology and Symmetry in Unilateral Cleft Lip and Palate Patients Following A Two-Stage Lip Closure

Abstract

A new method was developed to evaluate more objectively the morphology of the soft tissue lip and nose after treatment of the unilateral cleft lip and palate deformity. Plaster casts of the mid-face of the patients were analysed by use of angular, linear and surface measurements. Thirty cases were studied 4–10 years after the primary surgery of the lip, performed in two stages ad modum Johanson. The results indicated a satisfactory though slightly short lip in the former cleft area. The alar base of the nose was at the same horizontal level on the cleft as the noncleft side. The cleft nostril, however, was significantly greater in surface area and the length of its long axis as well as its angulation, differed between the two sides.