Effect of Cleft Types on Outcome of Unilateral Cleft Lip Repair

It is generally assumed that the major phenotypes of unilateral cleft lip (UCL) represent its extent of severity. There are a few studies on this, but objectivity has been lacking. It was the aim of this study to assess the effect of different phenotypes of UCL on the outcome of surgical repair.

This study was a case series of the effect of phenotypes of cleft on the outcome of repair of UCL. Fifteen subjects each were in three UCL phenotype groups. Surgical outcome was assessed quantitatively with anthropometric measurements recorded from a full frontal face photograph of subjects. The analysis was done using Student's t-test and one-way ANOVA at P = 0.05.

The mean values of the preoperative horizontal and vertical lip height, and nasal width on the cleft side in the cleft lip (CL) group were closest to those of the noncleft side and control. The postoperative mean values of the horizontal and vertical lip height, and nasal width on the cleft side in the CL group were closest to those of the noncleft side and control, while those of the CL, alveolus and palate group were farthest from those of the noncleft side and the control.

The different phenotypes of UCL have different degrees of tissue distortion and deficiencies. CL group had its measurements closest to that of the noncleft sides and control, suggesting that it has the least distortion.

The comparison between the three groups did not reveal any difference, suggesting that the skill of the surgeon and the selection of a well proven technique are more important factors in the outcome of repair of unilateral cleft lip.