title: Morphologic variability of nonsyndromic operated patients affected by cleft lip and palate: a geometric morphometric study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  In this study, we compared patterns of morphologic variations of the craniofacial skeleton between patients affected by clefts who were operated on and unaffected subjects, aiming to discuss possible morpho-functional consequences of treatment in craniofacial development.
  
  
  METHODS
  The lateral cephalograms of 76 subjects, comprising patients with operated unilateral cleft lip and palate (OpC) and a group matched for sex and age without cleft, were used. Thirteen landmarks were used as variables in geometric morphometric tests quantifying and describing overall shape variation, differences between group means, allometry, and upper-lower face covariation.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The OpC group showed broader shape variations including noncleft group characteristics, but mainly a retrognathic maxilla, a vertically elongated face, a more open mandibular angle, and a more closed basicranial angle. Group means differed mainly in the maxillomandibular relationships. Allometry differed between groups, with the smallest OpC patients showing the most altered morphology. Upper and lower face covariation was stronger in the OpC group, showing mainly vertical changes in the anterior face.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Operated patients affected by clefts achieve a broad range of morphologies; the most altered were found in those with skeletal Class III and small size. Furthermore, their strongest upper and lower face shape covariation suggests that a harmonic dental occlusion could be a key factor in achieving "normal" craniofacial morphology.
authors.affiliation: Researcher, Centre for Anatomical and Human Sciences, Hull York Medical School, Heslington, York, United Kingdom; lecturer, Facultad de Odontología, Universidad de Chile, Independencia, Región Metropolitana, Chile.
authors.forename: Viviana
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Toro-Ibacache
authors.affiliation: Professor, Facultad de Odontología, Universidad de Chile, Independencia, Región Metropolitana, Chile.
authors.forename: Juan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Cortés Araya
authors.affiliation: Lecturer, Facultad de Odontología, Universidad de Chile, Independencia, Región Metropolitana, Chile; orthodontist, Servicio de Cirugía Máxilo Facial, Hospital San Borja Arriarán, Santiago, Región Metropolitana, Chile.
authors.forename: Alejandro
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Díaz Muñoz
authors.affiliation: Associate professor, Centro de Análisis Cuantitativo en Antropología Dental, Facultad de Odontología, Universidad de Chile, Independencia, Región Metropolitana, Chile; associate professor, Facultad de Ciencias Sociales, Universidad de Chile, Ñuñoa, Región Metropolitana, Chile. Electronic address: gmanriqu@med.uchile.cl.
authors.forename: Germán
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Manríquez Soto
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D059925:Anatomic Landmarks / Q000473:pathology; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002508:Cephalometry / Q000379:methods*; D002648:Child; D002971:Cleft Lip / Q000601:surgery*; D002972:Cleft Palate / Q000601:surgery*; D005145:Face; D005147:Facial Bones / Q000254:growth & development / Q000473:pathology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008313:Malocclusion, Angle Class III / Q000473:pathology; D008334:Mandible / Q000473:pathology; D008437:Maxilla / Q000473:pathology; D008445:Maxillofacial Development / Q000502:physiology; D010159:Palate / Q000473:pathology; D025341:Principal Component Analysis; D063173:Retrognathia / Q000473:pathology; D012886:Skull / Q000254:growth & development / Q000473:pathology; D019291:Skull Base / Q000473:pathology; D014716:Vertical Dimension