Palatal volume estimation in operated unilateral and bilateral cleft lip and palate subjects using digital study models

Abstract

Objective To quantify and compare palatal volume of operated unilateral (UCLP) and bilateral (BCLP) cleft lip and palate subjects. Setting and Sample Population This cross‐sectional study was conducted on 85 study models comprising of 40 operated UCLP subjects (UG; mean age 10.33±1.76 years), 25 operated BCLP subjects (BG; mean age 10.44±1.92 years) and 20 non‐cleft controls (C; mean age 12.90±1.68 years). Material and Method The study models were scanned using 3Dscanner and palatal volume assessment done using 3‐matic software. Kruskal–Wallis test for palatal volume and one‐way ANOVA for inter‐canine(IC),inter‐premolar(IPM) and inter‐molar (IM) width comparison was used. Pearson correlation was done between IM,IPM,IC width and palatal volume for three groups. The control group sample was evaluated by two‐observers to evaluate the inter‐observer reliability. Results The median palatal volume of C, UG and BG groups was 5814.31mm³, 2452.34mm³ and 1688.39mm³respectively. Significantly smaller palatal volume was found in UG and BG compared to control. Significant difference was seen in IC width between three groups. The IM, IPM, IC width with palatal volume in UG and IM width with palatal volume in BG group showed significant correlation. The ICC showed excellent agreement (>0.9) between observers. Conclusion Palatal volume of UG and BG groups was smaller by 57.82% and 71.1% respectively compared to controls. Improving IPM width in UG and IM width in BG seems to have more impact in correction of palatal volume.