Nasopharyngeal Airway Volume for Different GOSLON Scores in Patients with Unilateral Cleft Lip and Palate

Objective The aim of this study is to evaluate the nasopharyngeal airway volumes of patients with unilateral cleft lip and palate (UCLP) with different GOSLON scores. Methods The study sample consisted of 34 patients with UCLP and 20 controls with no cleft history. In the UCLP group, three experienced examiners used the GOSLON Yardstick to rate dental arch relationships, and the sample was divided into three groups as GOSLON 2 (G2) (n = 13), GOSLON 3 (G3) (n = 10), and GOSLON 4 (G4) (n = 11). Airway volumes were constructed using three-dimensional computed tomography data and divided into four compartments named the nasal airway, and superior, middle, and inferior pharyngeal airways. Results No statistically significant difference was detected among G2, G3, and G4 between the constitutive airway departments of the nasopharyngeal region. However, nasal airway volumes were significantly higher in the control group when compared with the UCLP group. Discussion Although there was no correlation among the investigated parameters, it is also a fact that airway capacities display a great variability among patients when investigated three dimensionally. Conclusion Although the severity of GOSLON scores might predetermine the extent of which the airways are affected from the cleft, a larger sample size is needed in future studies.