Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jan 19, 2026
Midface Hypoplasia and Cranial Base Morphology in Syndromic Craniosynostosis: A Comparative Analysis Study Using a Predictive Regression Model
Published on: November 4, 2025
Characteristics of labial and nasal deformities in patients with unilateral lesser-form cleft lip across different
Haoyue Guo1, Jun Ya Zhai1, HengYuan Ma2
1The Centre for Cleft Lip and Palate Treatment, Plastic Surgery Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, 33 Badachu Road, Shijingshan District, Beijing, 100144, People's Republic Of China.
Background:
How deformities associated with unilateral lesser-form cleft lip progress with age remains one of the most pressing concerns for patients and their families. This study aimed to preoperatively assess the characteristics and severity of labial and nasal deformities across different age groups of patients with unilateral lesser-form cleft lip.
Methods:
We conducted a retrospective analysis of patients with unilateral lesser-form cleft lip who received treatment at a single center between 2018 and 2023. The severity of labial and nasal deformities was evaluated through photogrammetric measurements of linear and angular parameters. Differences in deformity severity across age groups were assessed using one-way ANOVA with post-hoc testing. The correlations between ages and the severity of deformities were analysed using Spearman correlation analysis.
Results:
A total of 194 patients aged 2 months to 33 years (mean age: 9.11 ± 8.81) were included. Significant differences were observed in index A (lateral lip height), K (nasal width), L (alar width), M (alar convexity), and N (subalar width) in the one-way ANOVA test. For the subsequent post-hoc tests, non-significant differences in index A, while significant differences in index K, L, M, and N were observed between specific age groups. Notably, no differences were observed between the pairwise comparisons of age groups that were older than 9-12 years. Positive correlations were observed between ages and index K, L, and N while negative correlation was observed between ages and index M. (rK = 0.645, rL = 0.308, rM =-0.363, and rN = 0.427 with all p value < 0.000).
Conclusions:
Without surgical intervention, labial deformities showed no statistically significant differences across age groups. In contrast, the severity and asymmetry of nasal deformities progressed rapidly in patients younger than 9-12 years. Age was significantly correlated with the severity of nasal deformities-including nasal width, alar width, alar convexity, and subalar width. Timely surgical intervention is therefore recommended for patients with unilateral lesser-form cleft lip, particularly those presenting with nasal deformities, to prevent further progression.
Trial Registration:
Not applicable since this study did not involve clinical intervention.
