Integrated Care Strategies for Unilateral Cleft Lip and Palate: A Multidisciplinary Treatment Approach for Profile Correction

Cleft lip and palate (CLP) is a prevalent congenital craniofacial deformity that can be unilateral or bilateral. This case report highlights the interdisciplinary approach to managing a 24-year-old male with unilateral CLP (UCLP), emphasizing the complexity of associated dental and skeletal challenges. The patient had undergone multiple surgeries, including lip closure at three months, palate repair at seven years, and alveolar bone grafting at 12 years. Clinical assessments revealed a retruded maxilla, an absence of lateral incisors, and scars from previous surgeries. Radiographic evaluations indicated a Class III skeletal pattern and confirmed the presence of a cleft on the left side. Orthodontic treatment commenced with maxillary arch alignment, followed by Le Fort I surgery to address maxillary retrusion, correct skeletal malocclusion, and close the alveolar cleft space. The post-surgical phase involved orthodontic adjustments, crossbite correction, and alignment of the mandibular arch. Despite the discontinuation of treatment due to the patient's relocation, the interdisciplinary collaboration achieved significant improvements, including a corrected facial profile, maxillary advancement, closure of the cleft space, and enhanced dental alignment. The patient's confidence and functionality were positively impacted. This case underscores the importance of a coordinated interdisciplinary approach to addressing the multifaceted challenges associated with UCLP, aiming to optimize both aesthetic and functional outcomes for improved patient well-being.

Outcomes of Open Rhinoplasty for Unilateral Cleft Patients using Photogrammetric Analysis - An Evaluative Study

Introduction

Secondary cleft rhinoplasty is a challenge due to the complex anatomy of the nose, with structural deformity and difficulty in surgical management. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of an anatomical-based approach on enhancing tip and alar symmetry in secondary unilateral cleft rhinoplasty using photogrammetric evaluation.

Methods

The study was conducted on 57 adult patients seeking rhinoplasty after primary repair of congenital unilateral cleft lip deformity. All patients were operated upon using an external open rhinoplasty approach using an anatomical-based surgical technique. The cases were periodically followed up at three, six, 12 and 18 months for both aesthetic and functional outcomes with photogrammetric analysis of facial profile using the software Mirror Suite programme to compare before and after the surgical procedure.

Results

The photogrammetric analysis showed a significant improvement of facial angles (P = 0.05). The nasofrontal angle changed from a median of 146° to 132.5°, nasolabial angle of 73° to 95°, nasofacial angle of 21.5° to 32° and nasomental angle of 105° to 130°. The rotation angle of the nasal tip showed a significant cephalic rotation with a mean increase of the tip elongation of 1.8 cm achieved per lateralised millimetre.

Discussion

Secondary rhinoplasty in unilateral cleft deformities needs accurate evaluation of the anatomical and pathological abnormalities. Open approach is preferred with using costal cartilage graft allowing adequate columellar lengthening, maxillary enhancement and alar repositioning which leads to optimise the definition, projection and cephalic rotation with better stabilisation and symmetry of the nasal tip.

Intra- and Interobserver Reliability of Bone Volume Estimation Using OsiriX Software in Patients with Cleft Lip and Palate Using Cone Beam Computed Tomography

The objective of the current study was to evaluate intra- and interobserver bone volume measurements and effect of orientation on the reliability of bone volume evaluation in as-acquired vis-à-vis oriented cone beam computed tomography scans using Osirix software and possible correlation between gender, age, and bone volume required. For this, 31 cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) scans of 14 girls and 17 boys (aged 9–13) with unilateral cleft lip and/or palate who met the inclusion criteria were analyzed. Efficacy and reliability of third party software Osirix for bone volume calculation was assessed using as acquired and oriented volumes by three specialists (a radiologist, an orthodontist, and an oral maxillofacial surgeon). The dataset and readings were anonymized to prevent any bias. Two-way mixed model analysis on as-acquired and oriented observations exhibited intra-class coefficient (ICC) values ≥ 0.90. Wilcoxon signed rank test (p = 0.10) and Kruskal–Wallis ANOVA (p = 0.46) indicated that although a clinical difference in volume assessment was seen between as-acquired and oriented observations (inter-observer and intra-observer), it was statistically insignificant. Spearman’s bi-variate correlation analysis revealed a significant relation between the type (side) of cleft and bone volume required to fill the defect (p < 0.05). Although there was clinical difference in bone volume measurement by the three observers, it was insignificant statistically. Clefts on the left side in the patients had significantly more bone required than the right side, whereas age and gender had no relation with bone needed to fill the defect. OsiriX software provided good reliability in measurements of bone volume.