What happens to columellar angle after cleft lip surgery?

Purpose to evaluate post operative columelar angle changes after cleft lip repair. Methods observational, descriptive and cross-sectional study. Were evaluated 11 childrens in first and second year old, with unilateral cleft lip, of both genres, who underwent surgery to correct the lip defect. Were examined child’s nasal area and upper lip and identified anthropometric points pronasale, subnasale and glabella, then photographic documentation was performed for photogrammetric analysis. Photos were taken preoperatively and 4 months after surgery. Images obtained by photogrammetry were evaluated with graphics program Image J, through angular study tools. Results the mean of angles measured preoperatively was 55.41 degrees, and at the postoperative was 78.80 degrees, realizing an approximation to the vertical plane (p<0.0001). Cleft lip and palate patients had a variation of 32 degrees when compared pre and post-operative measurements, while in patients with only cleft lip or cleft lip and alveolus the changes where minors (0.75 and 25 degrees respectively). Conclusion occurs a columellar angle verticalization after cleft lip surgery. Patients that had greater increase to the angle were those who had more complex deformities.