Abstract
Anthropometric analysis was carried out on the facial soft tissue of unilateral cleft lip (and palate) patients who underwent surgical operations for lip repair during 1986-1990, and the data were compared with those for cases operated during 1981-1986.
The methods of measurement and analysis were the same as described previously (J. Jpn. Cleft Palate Assoc. No.13, p47-71, 1988). Fourteen points were selected, and the patient's face was marked. The deviation of the alar base and the columellar base was estimated by using a sliding caliper directly on the patient's face before and directly after surgery, and 2 weeks, 1 month and 3 months after the operation. The subjects consisted of 25 CL (cleft lip with or without alveolar cleft) and 30 CLP (cleft lip, alveolus and palate) patients.
The results were as follows:
1. The position of the columellar base was nearer the midline than that in the previous cases 3 months after the operation.
2. In patients with narrow cleft width, both lateral nasal alae were shifted in a more symmetrical position than in previous cases.
3. The downward deviation of the alar base on the cleft side was corrected into a symmetrical position 3 months after the operation.
4. The marginal length of the naris on the cleft side was longer than that of the noncleft side 3 months after the operation. But the difference between the both sides was less than that in previous cases.
