A novel measurement system for assessing the nose in patients with cleft lip and palate (CLP)

Andrea Grandoch; I Moritz Franz; I Teresa Kruse; I Bert Braumann; I Martin Dübbers; Ii Florian Grill

doi:10.1016/j.jobcr.2023.09.001

A novel measurement system for assessing the nose in patients with cleft lip and palate (CLP)

J Oral Biol Craniofac Res. 2023 Nov-Dec;13(6):682-687. doi: 10.1016/j.jobcr.2023.09.001. Epub 2023 Sep 9.

Authors

Andrea Grandoch¹, I Moritz Franz¹, I Teresa Kruse², I Bert Braumann², I Martin Dübbers³, Ii Florian Grill⁴

Affiliations

¹ Department for Oral and Craniomaxillofacial and Plastic Surgery, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Cologne, University of Cologne, Germany.
² Department of Orthodontics, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Cologne, University of Cologne, 50937, Cologne, Germany.
³ Division of Pediatric Surgery, Medical Faculty and University Hospital Cologne, University of Cologne, Kerpener Strasse 62, 50937, Cologne, Germany.
⁴ Department for Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, School of Medicine, Technische Universität München, Germany.

Abstract

Objective: The presented study shows a new and innovative method to determine nasal asymmetries in a simple way in patients with cleft lip and palate (CLP) in order to plan corrective surgery.

Design: 86 non-syndromic patients with cleft lip and palate were divided into 2 groups: a) patients with unilateral cleft lip and palate b) patients with bilateral cleft lip and palate.

Patients: follow-up of hospital records of 86 patients aged 2-18 years.

Main outcome: Based on standardised photos of the nose from 3 different directions, the nose symmetry was assessed. A new digital measurement system was used, which is integrated into proven clinical programmes. These were compared with a control group. In addition, a mirror fog test and a standardised questionnaire were used.

Result: The overall results showed a good symmetry of the nose postoperatively, as well as a high satisfaction of the patients and their parents. Profile and angle measurements showed a better result.

Conclusio: The presented measurement system and especially the Cleft Lip Component Symmetry Index (CLCSI) allows an individual and very effective assessment of the symmetry of the nose as well as a control of the growth in patients with CLP. The method is easy to apply in daily practice, even for untrained practitioners.

Keywords: Cleft lip and palate; Nasal symmetry; New measurement system.