Facial Analysis of Patients with Unilateral or Bilateral Cleft Lip and Palate Using 3D Stereophotogrammetry.

Objectives: To evaluate the quantitative values of linear and angular facial anthropometrics in patients with unilateral cleft lip and palate (UCLP) and compare them with those of patients with bilateral cleft lip and palate (BCLP) using three-dimensional (3D) facial imaging.

Design: Retrospective, observational, and cross-sectional study.

Setting: Hospital for Rehabilitation of Craniofacial Anomalies/USP (HRAC/USP).

Patients/ participants: In total, 61 non-syndromic patients with CLP who underwent multidisciplinary treatment and rehabilitated with a prosthesis were enrolled and divided into those with UCLP (G1; n = 31) and those with BCLP (G2; n = 30).

Intervention: Facial images were captured using a 3D camera after landmarks were marked on each patient's face. The software evaluated linear and angular parameters. Statistical tests were applied. Significance was determined as P < 0.05.

Main outcome measurements: Overall, 22 linear and 13 angular measurements were evaluated.

Results: The nasal length (P = 0.08), middle third of the face (P = 0.06), base nose width (P < 0.001), nasal root width (P < 0.001), nasal tip angle (P = 0.018), philtrum width (P < 0.001), lower face width (P = 0.039) and midfacial depth (P = 0.040) were significantly higher in G2; the upper cutaneous lip height was significantly higher in G1. Sexual dimorphism was observed except for linear measurements (linear distance between the labiale superius and labiale inferius landmarks, nasal root width, and upper cutaneous lip length) and angular measurements.

Conclusions: G2 had a greater length and width of nose and nasal root, nasal tip angle, philtrum width, and lower face width, midfacial depth, and midface third than G1. These findings also revealed the presence of sexual dimorphism.