Potential of Intraoperative 3D Photography in Cleft Lip-nose Deformity Repair

Cleft lip and palate and the resulting morphologic and functional deficits can cause a great deal of distress to patients and their families. Cleft lip deformity not only affects the lip but also extends to the nose and maxillary, with the severity varying according to the degree of the cleft. The main goal of surgery is to reconstruct the anatomy. Symmetry is a critical factor in evaluating the success of cleft lip surgeries. The previous evaluation methods were preoperative and postoperative comparisons by various methods to evaluate symmetry and the results of the surgery, such as the patient's feeling, data measurement, and other methods. So far, there is no simple and effective method to perform evaluation during surgery.

This study was carried out between 2023 and 2024 and involved 12 unilateral cleft lip patients. Antera 3D® (Miravex, Dublin, Ireland) is used for image acquisition and image analysis (depression, medium/large). The 3D photographs were taken before, after, and at any point during the procedure. Different colours are used to show elevations and depressions, avoiding interference from the naked eye and light. And it can display a comparison graph of any two points in time on the screen at the same time. It allows the surgeon to more accurately determine the extent of deformity correction.

All patients completed the repair of nasolabial. The duration of the operation has not increased. The appearances of almost all the patients were significantly improved, and all the patients and their families were satisfied with the outcome of the operation.

The system of the Antera 3D® was reliable and was a suitable technique for lip and nose analysis at any point in time during the operation.