Facial sensibility in adolescents born with cleft lip after undergoing repair in infancy

Values for facial sensibility measured in 68 adolescents born with cleft lip who had undergone repair in infancy (39 unilateral cleft patients with a mean age of 17 years and 29 bilateral cleft patients with a mean age of 19 years) were compared to values of 22 noncleft controls (mean age 18 years). Static two-point discrimination results and cutaneous pressure thresholds were similar between controls and cleft patients. Vibratory threshold values were lower in cleft patients, with significant differences (p < 0.05) in the nasolabial and upper lip skin areas. These differences might indicate minor sensory abnormalities of the quickly adapting fibers, differences in the ability of the deformed maxillary bone of cleft patients to conduct impulses, or other potential errors in the vibrometer.