Can objective measurements of the nasal form and function represent the clinical picture in unilateral cleft lip and palate?
BACKGROUND
The present study aimed to evaluate the potential correlations between objective measurements of nasal function and self-assessed nasal symptoms or clinical findings at nasal examination among adults treated for unilateral cleft lip and palate (UCLP), respectively.


METHODS
All UCLP patients born between 1960 and 1987 (n = 109) treated at a tertiary referring center were invited. Participation rate was 76% (n = 83) at a mean of 37 years after the initial surgery. All participants completed the same study protocol including acoustic rhinometry (AR), rhinomanometry (RM), anterior rhinoscopy, and questionnaires regarding self-experienced nasal symptoms.


RESULTS
A reduced volume of the anterior nasal cavity on the operated side (measured by AR) correlated to an expressed wish by the patient to change the function of the nose. A similar correlation was seen for the minimal cross-sectional area of anterior nasal cavity on the operated side. Furthermore, correlations were found between smaller volume and area of nasal cavity and a greater frequency of nasal obstruction. No further correlations were found.


CONCLUSIONS
Objective measurements partly correlate to the clinical picture among adults treated for UCLP. However, these need to be combined with findings at clinical examination and patient self-assessment to represent the complete clinical picture.
Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Department of Surgical Sciences, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden.
Roshan
R
Peroz
Department of Clinical Science, Intervention and Technology, Division of Ear, Nose and Throat Diseases, Karolinska Institutet, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden.
Mats
M
Holmström
Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Department of Surgical Sciences, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden. Electronic address: maria.mani@surgsci.uu.se.
Maria
M
Mani
D000328:Adult; D000359:Aftercare; D002971:Cleft Lip / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D002972:Cleft Palate / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009666:Nose / Q000502:physiology*; D009668:Nose Diseases / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D025363:Rhinomanometry / Q000379:methods; D023842:Rhinometry, Acoustic / Q000379:methods; D012648:Self Care / Q000379:methods; D055815:Young Adult
Acoustic rhinometry; Adults; Cleft lip and palate; Nasal function; Rhinomanometry; Self-assessment