Preoperative lip measurement in patients with complete unilateral cleft lip/palate and its comparison with norms

There is prominent lip asymmetry in patients with unilateral complete cleft lip and palate. Measurement of the lip on cleft and non-cleft sides provides appraisal of the lip deformity and information for planning of surgical correction. The purpose of this retrospective study is to evaluate the degree of lip deformity and to compare it with normative data.

From 1983 to 1997, data from a total of 168 patients with unilateral complete cleft lip and palate were collected. There were no other associated craniofacial anomalies in this patient group. The measurement was performed under general anaesthesia by a senior surgeon using a calliper prior to the first lip repair. Corresponding normative data were collected from 2002 to 2003 on 50 patients who had normal facial appearance prior to hernia repair. The measurements included lip height, lip width, philtrum length and vermilion thickness. Comparisons were made between the cleft side and the non-cleft side, as well as between cleft patients and norms.

Comparisons between the cleft and the non-cleft sides revealed significantly longer lip on the non-cleft side, including lip height from alar base to Cupid's bow, lip width from Cupid's bow to commissure and the vermilion thickness. The lip measurements on the norms were longer than those on the cleft side of the lip, but were similar to the non-cleft side.

A wide variety of tissue growth asymmetry is observed between the non-cleft and the cleft sides, indicating a deficiency of tissue development associated with the cleft deformity. These data can provide a fundamental basis for presurgical orthopaedic treatment, surgical planning, execution of surgery, postoperative assessment and may help to predict treatment outcome.