The Eurocleft study: intercenter study of treatment outcome in patients with complete cleft lip and palate. Part 2: craniofacial form and nasolabial appearance.
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.


METHODS
Longitudinal cohort study.


METHODS
Multidisciplinary cleft services in Northern Europe.


METHODS
127 consecutively treated individuals with repaired complete UCLP.


METHODS
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.


CONCLUSIONS
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.
Brattström
Viveca
V
Orthodontic Department, Eastman Institute, Stockholm, Sweden. viveca.brattstrom@ftv.sll.se
Mølsted
Kirsten
K
Prahl-Andersen
Birte
B
Semb
Gunvor
G
Shaw
William C
WC
D000293:Adolescent; D002508:Cephalometry; D002648:Child; D002971:Cleft Lip / Q000601:surgery*; D002972:Cleft Palate / Q000601:surgery*; D003766:Dental Occlusion; D005060:Europe; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008046:Lip / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008445:Maxillofacial Development; D009666:Nose / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D016017:Odds Ratio; D019647:Oral Surgical Procedures / Q000379:methods*; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care / Q000379:methods*; D012044:Regression Analysis; D018709:Statistics, Nonparametric