The Eurocleft study: Intercenter study of treatment outcome in patients with complete cleft lip and palate. Part 2: Craniofacial form and nasolabial appearance

Objective: To compare craniofacial morphology and nasolabial appearance up to age 17 in individuals with repaired complete unilateral cleft lip and palate (UCLP) treated at five European centers. Design: Longitudinal cohort study. Setting: Multidisciplinary cleft services in Northern Europe. Subjects: 127 consecutively treated individuals with repaired complete UCLP. Main outcome measures: Cephalometric variables, 14 angular and 2 ratio variables, and panel ratings of nasolabial appearance, 4 variables. Results: The results revealed that at ages 12 and 17, two centers had a flatter profile (gs-sn-pgs) and retrognathic maxilla (sss-ns-sms). Additionally, one of the two centers had increased lower face height. Ratings of nasolabial appearance showed more similarity between the centers. Conclusion: The results confirm that systematic differences in craniofacial morphology and nasolabial appearance may occur between different cleft centers, but do not allow specific caused factors to be identified.