Evaluation of the bony nasal septum development of cleft lip and palate patients using three-dimensional computed tomography measurement

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate the development of bony nasal septum of cleft lip and palate patients. Methods: This retrospective study included 157 patients aged over 14 years with cleft lip and palate (CLP) and 54 normal people. The three-dimensional computed tomography reconstruction images of the posterior and inferior part of the bony nasal septum were measured. We evaluated the development of the bony nasal septum. Results: There were 39 patients with cleft lip only (CLO), 38 patients with cleft palate only (CPO), 80 patients with CLP. The L1, L2, and S of CLO and/or CPO patients were smaller than the normal control group. The L1 and S of cleft palate group and CLP group were smaller than cleft lip group, there was no significant difference for L2 between the three groups. Compared with the postoperative cleft palate group, the S of preoperative group was significantly bigger, the L2 was bigger without significant difference; but compared with the normal group, L1 and S of preoperative group was significantly smaller, L2 was not significantly different. Conclusions: The patients with cleft palate only were most affected. There was not only decrease of the fusion of maxilla and vomer, but also growth inhibition of the sutura between vomer and nasal septum cartilages, vertical plate of ethmoid bone in patients with cleft lip and palate. The adverse effects of the cleft palate operation to bony nasal septal development mainly lie in anterior inferior direction.