Comparison of Cleft Lip Nasal Deformities Between Lesser-Form and Incomplete Cleft Lips: Implication for Primary Rhinoplasty.

Objective: This study investigated various manifestations of nasal deformities in lesser-form cleft lips, including the minor-form, microform, and mini-microform, by photogrammetric comparison with incomplete cleft lips.

Design: Retrospective study.

Setting: Tertiary university-affiliated hospital.

Participants: A total of 160 patients with unrepaired unilateral incomplete cleft lips ranging from lesser-form to two-thirds way clefts.

Main Outcome Measures: The severity of nasal deformities was assessed by photogrammetric measurements of linear and angular variables. The symmetry ratio between the cleft and non-cleft sides was obtained by measuring various nasal parameters and comparing them among the different labial cleft groups.

Results: The degree of nasal deformities increased with the extent of labial clefts among the 3 labial cleft groups (lesser-form, halfway, and two-thirds way clefts) in terms of alar base width ratio (1.102, 1.197, 1.309;  < .05), nostril width ratio (1.287, 1.387, 1.551;  < .05), and columellar angle (11.5, 14.45, 18.197;  < .05). Each parameter indicated lesser-form, halfway, and two-thirds way clefts, respectively. However, only the lateral lip height ratio (0.942, 0.851, 0.87;  < .05) and nostril width ratio (1.207, 1.35, 1.29;  < .05) significantly differed among the 3 subgroups. Each parameter indicated mini-microform, microform, and minor-form, respectively.

Conclusions: The cleft nasal deformities in lesser-form cleft lip present comparable severities among its subtypes, which implies that the extent of the labial cleft is not correlated with nasal deformities. Each nose in the lesser form cleft should be individually assessed for primary rhinoplasty and requires tailored correction.