Transverse and vertical asymmetry of bilateral craniofacial structures in repaired unilateral and bilateral complete cleft lip and palate cases.

Fifty repaired complete cleft lip and palate cases (38 UCLP and 12 BCLP) in the age range of 6 to 14 years were evaluated for transverse and vertical asymmetry using postero-anterior cephalograms. A total of nine bilateral landmarks, representing upper face, mid face and lower face were used. Results showed that asymmetry was not confined to any single plane of reference but manifested in both dimensions--transverse and vertical. The UCLP group had greater asymmetry of mid face than the BCLP group. Asymmetry was found to be extending to distant areas besides the contiguous structures.