title: Nasal Septal Anatomy in Skeletally Mature Patients With Cleft Lip and Palate.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Septal deviation commonly occurs in patients with cleft lip and palate (CLP); however, the contribution of the cartilaginous and bony septum to airway obstruction in skeletally mature patients is poorly understood.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To describe the internal nasal airway anatomy of skeletally mature patients with CLP and to determine the contributors to airway obstruction.
  
  
  METHODS
  This single-center retrospective review included patients undergoing cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) from November 1, 2011, to July 6, 2015, at the cleft lip and palate division of a major academic tertiary referral center. Patients met inclusion criteria for the study if they were at least 15 years old at the time of CBCT, and images were used only if they were obtained before Le Fort I osteotomy and/or formal septorhinoplasty. Twenty-four skeletally mature patients with CLP and 16 age-matched control individuals were identified for the study.
  
  
  METHODS
  Septal deviation and airway stenosis were measured in the following 3 coronal sections: at the cartilaginous septum (anterior nasal spine), bony septum (posterior nasal spine), and midpoint between the anterior and posterior nasal spine. The perpendicular plate of the ethmoid bone and vomer displacement were measured as angles from the vertical plane at the coronal section of maximal septal deviation. The site of maximal septal deviation was identified.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Among the 40 study participants, 26 were male. The mean (SD) age was 21 (5) and 23 (6) years for patients with CLP and controls, respectively. Septal deviation in patients with CLP was significantly worse than that of controls at the anterior nasal spine (2.1 [0.5] vs 0.8 [0.2] mm; P < .05) and posterior nasal spine (2.9 [0.5] vs 1.0 [0.3] mm; P < .01) and most severe at the midpoint (mean [SD], 4.4 [0.6] vs 2.1 [0.3] mm; P < .01). The point of maximal septal deviation occurred in the bony posterior half of the nasal airway in 27 of 40 patients (68%). The CLP bony angular deviation from the vertical plane was significant in the CLP group compared with the control group (perpendicular plate of the ethmoid bone, 14° [2°] vs 8° [1°]; vomer, 34° [5°] vs 13° [2°]; P < .05 for both), and vomer deviation was significantly associated with anterior nasal airway stenosis (r = -0.61; P < .01).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Skeletally mature patients with CLP have significant septal deviation involving bone and cartilage. Resection of the bony and cartilaginous septum should be considered at the time of definitive cleft rhinoplasty.
  
  
  METHODS
  NA.
authors.affiliation: Hansjörg Wyss Department of Plastic Surgery, New York University Langone Medical Center, New York, New York.
authors.forename: Jonathan P
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Massie
authors.affiliation: Hansjörg Wyss Department of Plastic Surgery, New York University Langone Medical Center, New York, New York.
authors.forename: Christopher M
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Runyan
authors.affiliation: Hansjörg Wyss Department of Plastic Surgery, New York University Langone Medical Center, New York, New York.
authors.forename: Marleigh J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Stern
authors.affiliation: Hansjörg Wyss Department of Plastic Surgery, New York University Langone Medical Center, New York, New York.
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Alperovich
authors.affiliation: Department of Otolaryngology, New York University Langone Medical Center, New York, New York.
authors.forename: Scott M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Rickert
authors.affiliation: Hansjörg Wyss Department of Plastic Surgery, New York University Langone Medical Center, New York, New York.
authors.forename: Pradip R
authors.initials: PR
authors.lastname: Shetye
authors.affiliation: Hansjörg Wyss Department of Plastic Surgery, New York University Langone Medical Center, New York, New York.
authors.forename: David A
authors.initials: DA
authors.lastname: Staffenberg
authors.affiliation: Hansjörg Wyss Department of Plastic Surgery, New York University Langone Medical Center, New York, New York.
authors.forename: Roberto L
authors.initials: RL
authors.lastname: Flores
mesh_terms: D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002971:Cleft Lip / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology*; D002972:Cleft Palate / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology*; D054893:Cone-Beam Computed Tomography; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D015508:Nasal Obstruction / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology*; D009300:Nasal Septum / Q000002:abnormalities* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D055815:Young Adult