The Eurocleft Study: Intercenter Study of Treatment Outcome in Patients with Complete Cleft Lip and Palate. Part 2: Craniofacial Form and Nasolabial Appearance

Abstract

Objective To compare craniofacial morphology and nasolabial appearance up to age 17 in individuals with repaired complete unilateral cleft lip and palate (UCLP) treated at five European centers. Design Longitudinal cohort study. Setting Multidisciplinary cleft services in Northern Europe. Subjects 127 consecutively treated individuals with repaired complete UCLP. Main outcome measures Cephalometric variables, 14 angular and 2 ratio variables, and panel ratings of nasolabial appearance, 4 variables. Results The results revealed that at ages 12 and 17, two centers had a flatter profile (gs-sn-pgs) and retrognathic maxilla (sss-ns-sms). Additionally, one of the two centers had increased lower face height. Ratings of nasolabial appearance showed more similarity between the centers. Conclusion The results confirm that systematic differences in craniofacial morphology and nasolabial appearance may occur between different cleft centers, but do not allow specific caused factors to be identified.