Three-Dimensional Computed Tomography Reconstruction And Measurement Of Nasal End Deformity In Complete Unilateral Cleft Lip And Palate

Objective:The repair of nasal deformities secondary to cleft lip and palate is complex and requires reliable preoperative nasal three-dimensional(3D)assessment.This study explored nasal end(defined as the lower third of the external nasal and vestibular parts of the nasal cavity)deformities secondary to unilateral complete cleft lip and palate.Methods:3D nasal end morphometric measurements were obtained from 48 patients who had undergone Millard cleft lip repair and reached skeletal maturity(cleft group)and from 36 age-and ethnicity-matched normal subjects(control group).For the cleft group,paired t-tests and one-way analysis of covariance were used to evaluate the internal and external morphological characteristics of the cleft and non-cleft sides of the nasal end,and correlation analysis was done to evaluate the relationship between cleft side measurements.Results:In the cleft group,the cleft side showed significantly smaller nasal vestibular volume and skin area,nostril area,nasal column length,and nostril height and greater nostril base length and nasal alar length than the non-cleft side(all P<0.05).Controlling sex,there were significant differences in nasal vestibular volume and skin area,internal nasal valve area,long nostril diameter,nostril base length,columella length,nostril height,and nasal alar length between the cleft and control groups(all P<0.05).On the cleft side,the area of the skin lining of the nasal vestibule positively correlated with the alar length(r=0.67,P<0.05).Conclusion:UCLP patients had typical nasal appearance deformities and functional defects,such as an uneven nasal tip,collapsed nasal ala,narrowed nasal vestibule,inadequate skin lining,and narrowed internal nasal valve.3D reconstruction of nasal soft tissues can provide a more detailed preoperative evaluation of nasal end morphology and provide the basis for the choice of surgical methods.