Measuring the cleft deformity.

Abstract

Comparative studies in cleft lip and palate patients are difficult because of the difficulty in documenting them. Both qualitative assessment and quantitative measurements are needed so that a more meaningful comparison of long-term results could then be made. The different protocols used previously by various authors were reviewed and a protocol was drawn up for the Department of Plastic Surgery, Singapore General Hospital. This was used for a trial period and then revised. The difficulty in measurement lay mainly in determining the accurate anthropometric points on the face from which measurements were made.