Effect of primary correction of nasal septal deformity in complete unilateral cleft lip and palate on the craniofacial morphology

PurposeTo assess the long-term effect of primary correction of the nasal septum during lip repair in unilateral complete cleft lip and palate on the craniofacial morphology.Material, subjects, methodsThe study material consisted of 54 lateral cephalograms made at the ages 7–22, including 28 cephalograms of patients from a study group (aged 7–14 years) after a primary correction of the nasal septum during lip closure and 26 cephalograms of patients from a control group (aged 12–22 years) operated on without septal correction. All cephalograms have been analysed with regard to skeletal, dental and soft-tissue relationships. Data distribution has been checked using Shapiro–Wilk test (α = 0.05). Student t-test was used to compare values of normal distribution and for the latter – Mann–Whitney test.ResultsThe comparison of all cephalometric values between the study and control groups revealed a statistically significant (α = 0.05) difference only for H (p = 0.0267), 1+: NB angle (p = 0.0175) and 1+: NA (mm) (p = 0.0249). Each of the three cephalometric measurements mentioned were greater in the study than in the control group.ConclusionNo negative effect from the primary nasal septum correction on maxillary development could be found in the study group.