Prognostic value of inflammatory biomarkers in aged patients with oral squamous cell carcinoma.

Background: Better prognostic biomarkers for oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) must be developed, particularly within the realm of clinically and frequently administered tests, to advise appropriate clinical therapy and follow-up. In this study, we retrospectively investigated which of the several inflammation-nutrition indicators might predict the prognosis of patients with OSCC. Methods: The preoperative neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), lymphocyte-monocyte ratio (LMR), platelet-lymphocyte ratio (PLR), CRP-albumin ratio (CAR), Glasgow prognostic score (GPS), modified GPS (mGPS), prognostic nutritional index (PNI), controlling nutrition status (CONUT), and modified CONUT (mCONUT) were retrospectively evaluated using blood samples collected 1-5 days before surgery. To estimate the effect on the prognosis of tumor progression, the mean values of the markers between stages I/II and III/IV were used for subgroup analysis. The multivariate Cox proportional hazards model included all independent variables significantly associated with survival in the univariate analysis to determine the independent variables. Results: A total of 112 patients (69 males and 43 females) with primary OSCC who underwent surgical treatment at our hospital were included. There were statistically significant differences in the mean values of monocytes, platelets, and albumin between stages I/II and III/IV. According to the multivariate Cox proportional hazards regression, a low PNI was associated with shorter overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS); women were associated with shorter DFS. Conclusion: The pretreatment PNI had excellent predictive value for the 5-year OS and DFS of patients with OSCC. Future large-scale prospective studies with a high sample size are needed to verify our findings in OSCC patients.

Prognostic Role of Preoperative Sarcopenia Evaluation of Cervical Muscles with Long-Term Outcomes of Patients with Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma.

Accumulating evidence has shown that sarcopenia in patients with oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is at a risk of poor prognosis. There is no universal consensus on how to assess sarcopenia in patients with OSCC in daily practice. It is important to validate the usefulness of sarcopenia assessment from cervical muscles, which are frequently used in routine clinical practice in patients with OSCC. In this study, we investigated whether preoperative lumbar (L3) skeletal muscle mass and adiposity in OSCC patients were associated with cervical (C3) skeletal muscle mass and adiposity from CT measurements. We also investigated whether skeletal muscle mass and adiposity in the C3 muscles were associated with survival rates in patients with OSCC. We demonstrated that both the quality and quantity of muscle between the C3 and L3 levels were positively correlated with each other. We also demonstrated that the survival rates in patients with low sternocleidomastoid muscle mass index, high processus spinosus muscle-intramuscular adipose tissue content, and the combination of both were significantly lower than those in the controls. These results suggest that the assessment of sarcopenia from multiple neck muscles by preoperative CT measurements may be useful in predicting the prognosis of patients with OSCC.

In vivo degradation and bone formation behaviors of hydroxyapatite-coated Mg alloys in rat femur.

Various coatings have been developed for biodegradable Mg alloys to control the degradation speed and to improve the bone conductivity. In this study, hydroxyapatite (HAp) coatings were formed on pure Mg, Mg-0.8mass% Ca (MgCa), Mg-4mass% Y-3mass% rare earth (RE) (WE43), Mg-3mass% RE-1mass% Y (EW31) and Mg-4mass% RE (RE4) alloy rods with a chemical solution deposition method. The HAp-coated and uncoated Mg/Mg alloy rods were implanted in the femurs of rats for 3-6 months, and the corrosion suppression and bone formation abilities of the HAp coating were examined using a scanning electron microscope. The corrosion rate of WE43 was suppressed by 1/3 with the HAp coating for 6 months, and the corrosion product showed very slow dissolution. The effect of the HAp coating for pure Mg and MgCa disappeared in 1-2 months with the thinning of the rods accompanying with the obvious dissolution of the corrosion products. The effect of the HAp coating for EW31 and RE4 was not stable due to the expansion and collapse of the corrosion products. The bone formation was enhanced on the HAp layers. Eventually, the HAp coating basically suppressed the corrosion initiation and corrosion progress of Mg substrates. The magnitude of the suppression effect depended mainly on the chemical and physical stability of the corrosion products.

Impact of Preoperative Low Prognostic Nutritional Index and High Intramuscular Adipose Tissue Content on Outcomes of Patients with Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma.

The impact of preoperative malnutrition and sarcopenia on survival in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) patients remains controversial. We investigated the effects of the preoperative nutritional status and abnormalities in body composition on the mortality of OSCC patients. A retrospective study involving 103 patients with OSCC was conducted. Disease-specific survival (DSS) according to the preoperative psoas muscle mass index (PMI) and intramuscular adipose tissue content (IMAC) was evaluated. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to determine the predictive performance of the covariates with respect to DSS. The DSS rate in patients with high IMAC and low PMI was significantly lower than that in controls. Multivariate analysis revealed that a low preoperative Prognostic Nutritional Index (PNI) and high IMAC were independent risk factors. We demonstrated that preoperative malnutrition and abnormal body composition, such as preoperative skeletal muscle quality, are associated with DSS in OSCC patients. Our study suggests that the evaluation of preoperative malnutrition and skeletal muscle quality would be useful for predicting mortality in patients with OSCC.

Using three-dimensional nasal forms to compare definitive unilateral cleft lip nose correction with/without a cross-lap joint cartilage graft technique.

To compare three-dimensional (3D) nasal forms after definitive correction of unilateral cleft lip (UCL)-nose using an extended spreader cartilage graft with/without a cross-lap joint cartilage graft technique. Twenty-four patients with UCL who underwent definitive nose correction using an extended spreader cartilage graft with a cross-lap joint technique (CLJ group) and fifteen patients with UCL who underwent nose correction without a cross-lap joint technique (non-CLJ group) were enrolled in this study. Pre- and postoperative 3D nasal forms were compared between the two groups. The CLJ group demonstrated more successful recovery of the nasal tip and anterior nasal ridge in the center of the face (P < 0.01), and the higher nasal tip was maintained for more than 1 year (P = 0.008). The differences in the cephalo-caudal heights of the nasal alar groove and curvatures of the alar groove arch were successfully improved in both CLJ and non-CLJ groups. The nasal angles on lateral profiles did not change in either group. An extended spreader cartilage graft with a cross-lap joint technique facilitates satisfactory recovery of the nasal tip in the center of the face and a higher nasal tip, avoiding over-projection in the definitive correction of UCL-nose.

Three-dimensional analyses of nasolabial forms and upper lip surface symmetry after primary lip repair in patients with complete unilateral cleft lip and palate.

PURPOSE: To analyze three-dimensional (3D) nasolabial forms and upper lip surface symmetry after primary lip repair in children with unilateral cleft lip and palate (UCLP). METHODS: Subjects were 22 Japanese children with complete UCLP who underwent primary lip repair and were followed-up for 4-6 years. The 3D coordinates of facial landmarks and the angle and radius of the approximate nasal alar circle were calculated. Upper lip surface symmetry was analyzed using histogram intersection. RESULTS: The nasal tip and columella base were slightly dislocated to the cleft side, and the midpoint of Cupid's bow shifted to the non-cleft side. The nasal alar and the top of Cupid's bow were reconstructed at the same height, while the approximate nasal alar circle was smaller on the cleft side. The mean value of similarity for upper lip surface symmetry was 0.82; a subject with a higher value had more symmetrical contour lines in the visualized surface image. CONCLUSIONS: Postoperative nasolabial forms were almost restored to symmetrical levels, while retaining a small nasal alar. Histogram intersection is applicable as a method for the quantitative evaluation of upper lip surface symmetry in UCLP.

Pilot Study of Visual and Quantitative Image Analysis of Facial Surface Asymmetry in Unilateral Complete Cleft Lip and Palate.

OBJECTIVE: To visualize and quantitatively analyze facial surface asymmetry following primary cleft lip repair in patients with unilateral cleft lip and palate (UCLP) and to compare this with noncleft controls. DESIGN: Retrospective comparative study. PATIENTS: Twenty-two patients with complete UCLP who underwent primary lip repair from 2009 to 2013 were enrolled in this study. The preserved 3-dimensional (3D) data of 23 healthy Japanese participants with the same age were used as controls. INTERVENTIONS: All patients had received primary labioplasty in accordance with Cronin triangular flap method with orbicular oris muscle reconstruction. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Shadow and zebra images established from moiré images, which were reconstructed from 3D facial data using stereophotogrammetry, were bisected and reversed by the symmetry axes (the middle line of the face). The discrepancies of the gravity and density between cleft and noncleft sides in 2 regions of interest, facial and lip areas, were then calculated and compared with those of healthy participants. RESULTS: In the UCLP group, the mean discrepancies of gravity on shadow and zebra images were 1.76 ± 0.70 and 2.63 ± 1.72 pixels, respectively, in the facial area and 1.31 ± 0.36 and 3.83 ± 2.08 pixels, respectively, in the lip area. There was a significant difference in the mean discrepancies of gravity and density on zebra images in the lip area between the UCLP and control groups. CONCLUSIONS: Our image analysis of digital facial surface asymmetry in patients with UCLP provides visual and quantitative information, and it may contribute to improvements in muscle reconstruction on cleft lip repair.

Assessment of postoperative complications using E-PASS and APACHE II in patients undergoing oral and maxillofacial surgery.

BACKGROUND: The prediction of postoperative complications is important for oral and maxillofacial surgeons. We herein aimed to evaluate the efficacy of the Estimation of Physiologic Ability and Surgical Stress (E-PASS) and Acute Physiology, Age, and Chronic Health Evaluation (APACHE) II scoring systems to predict postoperative complications in patients undergoing oral and maxillofacial surgery. METHODS: Thirty patients (22 males, 8 females; mean age: 65.1 ± 12.9 years) who underwent major oral surgeries and stayed in the intensive care unit for postoperative management were enrolled in this study. Postoperative complications were discriminated according to the necessity of the therapeutic intervention by the Medical Department, i.e. according to the Clavien-Dingo classification. E-PASS and APACHE II scores as well as laboratory test values were compared between patients with/without postoperative complications. RESULTS: Postoperative complications were developed in seven patients. The comprehensive risk score (CRS: 1.13 ± 0.24) and APACHE II score (13.0 ± 2.58) were significantly higher in patients with postoperative complications than in those without ones (p < 0.01, p < 0.05, respectively). The CRS showed an appropriate discriminatory power for predicting postoperative complications (area under the curve: 0.814). Furthermore, a correlation was detected between APACHE II scores and postoperative data until C-reactive protein levels decreased to < 1.0 mg/L (r = 0.43, p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: The E-PASS and APACHE II scoring systems were both shown to be useful to predict postoperative complications after oral and maxillofacial surgery.

Preliminary Analysis of the 3-Dimensional Morphology of the Upper Lip Configuration at the Completion of Facial Expressions in Healthy Japanese Young Adults and Patients With Cleft Lip.

PURPOSE: To develop criteria for the analysis of upper lip configuration of patients with cleft lip while they produce various facial expressions by comparing the 3-dimensional (3D) facial morphology of healthy Japanese adults and patients with cleft lip. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Twenty healthy adult Japanese volunteers (10 men, 10 women, controls) without any observed facial abnormalities and 8 patients (4 men, 4 women) with unilateral cleft lip and palate who had undergone secondary lip and nose repair were recruited for this study. Facial expressions (resting, smiling, and blowing out a candle) were recorded with 2 Artec MHT 3D scanners, and images were superimposed by aligning the T-zone of the faces. The positions of 14 specific points were set on each face, and the positional changes of specific points and symmetry of the upper lip cross-section were analyzed. Furthermore, the configuration observed in healthy controls was compared with that in patients with cleft lip before and after surgery. RESULTS: The mean absolute values for T-zone overlap ranged from 0.04 to 0.15 mm. Positional changes of specific points in the controls showed that the nose and lip moved backward and laterally upward when smiling and the lips moved forward and downward medially when blowing out a candle; these movements were bilaterally symmetrical in men and women. In patients with cleft lip, the positional changes of the specific points were minor compared with those of the controls while smiling and blowing out a candle. The left-versus-right symmetry of the upper lip cross-section exceeded 1.0 mm in patients with cleft lip, which was markedly higher than that in the controls (0.17 to 0.91 mm). These left-versus-right differences during facial expressions were decreased after surgery. CONCLUSION: By comparing healthy individuals with patients with cleft lip, this study has laid the basis for determining control values for facial expressions.

Intraoperative frozen section histological analysis of resection samples is useful for the control of primary lesions in patients with oral squamous cell carcinoma.

To ensure reliable surgical margins, intraoperative frozen section histological analysis (FS) has been performed since October, 2005 as follows: i) the orientation at the anatomical position and extent of the tumor are shared between oral pathologists and oral surgeons using imaging evaluations and pathological pictures and the planned site of sampling for intraoperative FS is confirmed; ii) a tumor team is organized and the team marks the tumor area and sets the resection range to correct the setting errors of the resection range among operators; iii) vital Lugol staining is applied to the lesion prior to tumor resection, the surgical margin is set based on the non-stained region and the extent of the tumor is macroscopically confirmed in the maximum cross-sectional surface of the resected specimen; and iv) FS is performed using samples from resected specimens to confirm the mucoepithelium and safety margin of the deep stump. The aim of this study was to evaluate the usefulness of our FS method. The treatment outcomes of oral squamous cell carcinoma were retrospectively investigated in patients treated prior to (Group 1) and after (Group 2) the introduction of our FS method. The recurrence rate of the primary lesions was high (17.3%) in Group 1, but decreased significantly in Group 2 (6.9%). Regarding clinicopathological factors, the condition of the surgical margins was associated with recurrence of the primary lesion in Group 1, but not in Group 2. In conclusion, our FS method appears to be useful for resecting tumors with reliable safety margins.

Outcome following secondary autogenous bone grafting before and after canine eruption in patients with unilateral cleft lip and palate.

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether the long axis and eruption of the cleft-adjacent canine affect postoperative outcomes in secondary autogenous bone grafting (SABG). DESIGN: Retrospective longitudinal study. SETTING: Multidisciplinary long-term follow-up at Kagoshima University Hospital. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Twenty-five patients with complete unilateral cleft lip and palate (11 male, 14 female) were compared between unerupted and erupted groups for canine developmental stage, canine angle, and vertical height at bone grafting at 1 year and more than 4 years after SABG. The interalveolar septal heights at 1 and more than 4 years were evaluated by orthopantomograms. RESULTS: All patients in both groups accomplished dental rehabilitation with orthodontic treatment alone without prosthetic appliances. Although the rate of an acceptable bone bridge tended to be lower in the unerupted group (62.5%) than in the erupted group (88.8%), the difference was not significant (P = .158). The canine angle at bone grafting was significantly different between acceptable (69.2° ± 12.2°) and poor cases (77.3° ± 6.2°) at more than 4 years in the unerupted group (P = .049). The acceptable bone bridge rate might reflect mechanical stress added by natural eruption and orthodontic force. CONCLUSIONS: We suggest that SABG should be planned in accordance with the canine angle, crown and root development, the eruption position of the cleft-adjacent canine, and the timing of added mechanical stress in the alveolar cleft, considering the bone formation in the alveolar cleft.

Topographic analysis of maxillary premolars and molars and maxillary sinus using cone beam computed tomography.

PURPOSE: This study evaluated the anatomical characteristics of the maxillary premolars and molars and the maxillary sinus using cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) for dental implant treatment. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Ten linear items and 1 angular item on 30 sites in 30 patients were measured on 3-dimensional computed tomography images using CBCT. The vertical relationship between the maxillary sinus and the maxillary molars was classified into 5 categories. RESULTS: The horizontal thickness of the buccal alveolar bone was thinnest on the maxillary first premolars, and the horizontal thickness of the palatal alveolar bone was thickest on the maxillary second molars. Type II was most common on the maxillary first molars. The internal angle at the maxillary premolars was significantly greater than that at the maxillary molars. The internal angle and vertical distance between the apex of the roots and the maxillary sinus floor showed a positive correlation on the maxillary first premolars (P = 0.003). CONCLUSION: For the selection of an appropriate approach on dental implant treatment, the evaluation of maxillary premolars and molars using of CBCT can be recommended.

Analysis of the outcome of concurrent neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy with S-1 compared to super-selective intra-arterial infusion for oral squamous cell carcinoma.

We introduced concurrent neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy (CCRT) with S-1, an oral fluoropyrimidine, as treatment for oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) from October 2005. The clinical usefulness and medical safety of CCRT with S-1 (S-1 group) for OSCC were analyzed and compared with CCRT using super-selective intra-arterial infusion (AI group). The subjects in the S-1 group underwent external irradiation, at a total dose of 30 Gy, with S-1 chemotherapy. The AI group received cisplatin (CDDP) or carboplatin (CBDCA) combined with daily radiotherapy at a total dose of 40 Gy. The histological effects and disease-specific survival rates were almost equivalent in the S-1 and AI groups. Adverse events were less frequent in the S-1 group, while hematological toxicity, including anemia, thrombopenia and pharyngeal edema, was observed in the AI group. The results of this study indicate that CCRT combined with S-1 is a more effective and safer treatment for OSCC than AI.

Three-dimensional analyses of facial soft tissue configuration of Japanese females with jaw deformity--a trial of polygonal view of facial soft tissue deformity in orthognathic patients.

In this study, we evaluated the three-dimensional (3D) soft tissue configuration of Japanese females with/without jaw deformity in order to establish the polygonal view of facial soft tissue deformity three-dimensionally. A polygonal chart was applied to assess the outcomes of orthognathic surgery for patients with mandibular hyperplasia with/without deviation. The study included 20 Japanese females with mandibular hyperplasia with/without deviation. All patients received mandibular setback surgery, and 3D measurements were carried out pre-operation, and at 1, 3 and 6 months postoperatively using a non-contact laser scanning system. Eighteen soft tissue landmarks were set on each 3D image and used to calculate a set of selected parameters. As controls, 20 Japanese females with class I occlusion were included. A polygonal chart was constructed based on the mean and S.D. of the control group. Patients with mandibular protrusion characteristically demonstrated significant variances in the items around the lower face. In asymmetric patients, deviation in the mental area disappeared postoperatively, but a small deviation remained when compared to the controls. The method used in this study seems to be a useful index for diagnosis and as a treatment plan for patients with mandibular hyperplasia with/without deviation.

Three-dimensional analyses of nasal forms after secondary treatment of bilateral cleft lip-nose deformity in comparison to those of healthy young adults.

PURPOSE: To 3-dimensionally analyze outcomes after the secondary treatment of bilateral cleft lip-nose deformity at the Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Kagoshima University Hospital, Kagoshima, Japan. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Ten Japanese male young adults with bilateral cleft lip with or without palate (BCL±P) who had undergone definitive nose correction and were followed up for 1 to 4 years were enrolled in this study. Ten unaffected race- and gender-matched young adults were used as controls. All patients underwent secondary correction of the nose by open rhinoplasty through a bilateral reverse-U incision, columellar strut graft, and medial-upward advancement of the nasolabial components with vestibular expansion by use of a free mucosal graft. In 3 patients with an extremely short columella, an inferiorly based small pedicle flap from rim skin rotated into the columellar base was added for columella lengthening. Nasal forms were periodically measured by use of a 3-dimensional noncontact laser scanner. The angular and linear measurements and the curvature of the alar groove arch were compared between patients and control subjects. RESULTS: Comparison of the preoperative and postoperative nasal forms showed significant improvements in the nasal dorsum and tip angles, as well as nasal height. The size of the nasal alar grooves was also increased to the same size range as the control subjects. There were persistent differences between postoperative columellar angle and nasal width in patients and those in the control subjects. CONCLUSIONS: Our surgical procedures can provide an acceptably protruded nasal form for patients with BCL±P without damaging the upper lip tissue, but further improvement to prevent nasal tip overprojection may be useful.

Secondary correction of bilateral cleft lip nose deformity - Clinical and three-dimensional observations on pre- and postoperative outcome.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to describe the clinical and three-dimensional (3D) outcomes following secondary correction of bilateral cleft lip and nose by reverse-U incision, nasal tip cartilage graft, and medial-upward advancement of bilateral nasolabial components with vestibular expansion with a free mucosal graft. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Secondary correction of the bilateral cleft lip and nose deformity was performed on 11 patients with complete bilateral cleft lip, alveolus and palate (BCLP). In four patients with an extremely short columella, an inferiorly based small pedicle flap from rim skin rotating into the columella base was included to elongate the columella length. Pre- and postoperative nasal forms were recorded using photos and 3D data taken serially. RESULTS: The nasal forms and lateral profiles were improved in all patients postoperatively. The pre- and postoperative 3D colour images demonstrated satisfactorily elongated columella length, symmetrically increased nasal tip projection, and enlarged alar groove. No serious complications were observed postoperatively. CONCLUSIONS: Our secondary correction technique of the bilateral cleft lip and nose will provide successful results producing an adequate nasal tip projection and alar forms without damaging the upper lip tissue in patients with BCLP.

3-dimensional analyses of outcomes following secondary treatment of unilateral cleft lip nose deformity.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the 3-dimensional nasal forms after secondary treatment of unilateral cleft lip nose deformity. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Thirteen Japanese adolescents with severe nose deformity associated with unilateral complete cleft lip with/without palate underwent definitive nose correction at the Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Kagoshima University Hospital, and were followed for 1 to 3 years. Twenty healthy Japanese age-matched adolescents were included as controls. All patients were treated by open rhinoplasty through bilateral reverse-U incision and transcolumellar incision, correction of the columellar base with/without septoplasty, columellar strut graft, and medial-upward advancement of nasolabial components with vestibular expansion using a free mucosal graft. Pre- and postoperative nasal forms were measured using a 3-dimensional noncontact laser scanner. Angular and linear measurements, symmetry of the alar groove arch, and deviation of the nasal midline were analyzed. RESULTS: Comparison of pre- with postoperative 3-dimensional nasal forms showed that postoperative nasal height was significantly increased (P < .01) but still shorter than that of controls. The significant preoperative differences in the nasal dorsal angle (P < .05) and bilateral alar groove arch (P < .01) disappeared after the operation. The deviation of the nasal midline was improved in the lower half of the nose (P < .05) postoperatively. There were no serious complications in any patients. CONCLUSIONS: These surgical procedures can provide a symmetric and protruded nasal form, but there remain some differences between postoperative patients and healthy Japanese subjects.

SUVmax of FDG-PET correlates with the effects of neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy for oral squamous cell carcinoma.

The aim of this study was to analyze the relationship between the maximum standardized uptake value (SUVmax) of 18F-fluoro-2-deoxyglucose-positron emission tomography (FDG-PET) and the effects of neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC), and to identify the possible biological background of this association. Thirty-seven patients with OSCC, who underwent preoperative FDG-PET followed by cancer treatment with neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy, were enrolled in this study. The various histological effects following neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy were compared to the SUVmax in the primary OSCC. These effects were also compared to the immunohistochemical staining score of hypoxia-inducible factor-1alpha (HIF-1alpha), glucose membrane transporter (GLUT)-1 and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in the biopsy specimen. Furthermore, we analyzed the chemosensitivity of KB-3-1 cells to cisplatin under hypoxic conditions using the MTT assay. A negative correlation was observed between the SUVmax and the histological effects following neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy (p<0.01). The SUVmax was also correlated with the staining score of HIF-1alpha (p<0.03), but not with GLUT-1 and VEGF. The mean staining score of HIF-1alpha in the highly effective group was 2.7+/-1.1, which was significantly lower than that (3.7+/-0.9) of the poorly effective group (p<0.05). The cell chemosensitivity assay revealed chemoresistant effects under a hypoxic condition in OSCC. In conclusion, the SUVmax is correlated with the effectiveness of neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy in OSCC. Our clinical and experimental analyses further suggest a possible association of the upregulation of HIF-1alpha with chemoradiosensitivity in SCC cells.

Surgical technique for secondary correction of unilateral cleft lip-nose deformity: clinical and 3-dimensional observations of preoperative and postoperative nasal forms.

PURPOSE: Despite recent developments in cleft surgery, a surgical method for secondary correction of unilateral cleft lip-nose deformity has not yet been established. The purpose of this study was to describe the surgical techniques for secondary correction of unilateral cleft lip-nose deformity with 3-dimensional (3D) observations of preoperative and postoperative nasal forms. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Secondary corrections of unilateral cleft lip-nose deformity were performed on 13 patients with a complete unilateral cleft lip and palate, and these patients were followed up for 1 year to more than 3 years. All patients were treated by open rhinoplasty through a bilateral reverse-U incision and transcolumellar incision, correction of the columella base with/without septoplasty, nasal tip cartilage graft, and medial-upward advancement of nasolabial components with vestibular expansion by free mucosal graft. Preoperative and postoperative nasal forms were observed by use of photos and 3D data obtained serially. RESULTS: The postoperative nasal forms were improved in all patients. The preoperative 3D color images indicated asymmetry of the alar groove and nasal tip visually. The top of the alar groove on the cleft side was dislocated distally and downwardly, resulting in a small snub ala. The postoperative 3D color images showed symmetric nasal forms with the adequately recovered nasal tip projection and the appropriate circle of the nasal ala groove on the cleft side. There were no serious postoperative complications. CONCLUSIONS: Repositioning of the nasalis muscle and sufficient expansion of the nasal vestibule as well as reconstruction of nasal cartilages are important for correction of unilateral cleft lip-nose deformity.

Postoperative nasal forms after presurgical nasoalveolar molding followed by medial-upward advancement of nasolabial components with vestibular expansion for children with unilateral complete cleft lip and palate.

PURPOSE: The management for primary unilateral cleft lip nose deformities has not yet been established. In this study, short-term postoperative nasal forms after presurgical nasoalveolar molding (NAM) followed by primary lip repair for children with complete unilateral cleft lip and palate (UCLP) were evaluated and compared with the nasal forms achieved by treatment without nose correction. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Fifteen patients with complete UCLP who were treated in our department and followed up for more than 1 year (range 1 to 5 yrs) were enrolled. All subjects underwent presurgical orthopedic treatment with NAM, followed by lip repair using Cronin's triangular flap method with medial-upward advancement of nasolabial components with vestibular expansion. Postoperative nasal forms including nostril height and width ratio, ratio of the height of the top of the alar groove, and curvature of the appropriate circle of the nasal ala were evaluated using color photographs. Fifteen patients with complete UCLP who underwent presurgical orthopedic treatment using a Hotz plate followed by lip repair without nose correction served as controls. RESULTS: The comparison of postoperative nasal forms demonstrated that the nostril height and width ratio and the height of the top of the alar groove in the correction group were significantly superior compared with those of the controls. CONCLUSIONS: Our management of cleft lip nose will provide good nasal forms with minimum invasion in patients with UCLP. Long-term follow-up will be necessary to clarify effects on the growth of nasal tissues reconstructed in infancy.