Evaluation of pronasale, nasolabial and paranasal asymmetries in patients with unilateral cleft lip and palate using three-dimensional imaging

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: Facial symmetry is an important component of a successful treatment of patients with cleft lip and palate. The aim of this retrospective study was to examine the pronasale, nasolabial, and paranasal region asymmetries in patients with nonsyndromic unilateral cleft lip and palate (UCLP) using three-dimensional (3D) facial imaging. MATERIALS AND METHOD: The study group consisted of 29 patients with complete UCLP aged 8-29 years. 3D stereophotogrammetric soft tissue recordings of all patients were analyzed. Measurements were performed on the cleft and noncleft side and compared with each other by the paired t-test. RESULTS: Statistically significant differences were observed between the cleft and noncleft sides. Alar contour-Pronasale distance was longer on the cleft side than on the noncleft side, with the difference between them being statistically significant (p<0.05). The Subnasale-Pronasale / Alar contour-Pronasale ratio was also significantly lower on the cleft side than on the noncleft side (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: Patients with UCLP did not present significant asymmetries regarding Cheek and Buccal contours and Chelion-Subnasale and Christa Philtry-Subnasale heights. Asymmetrical appearance was prominent on alar base and pronasale regions.