Software Development for analysing residual deformities of UCLP
Research type
Research Study
Full title
The development of software for analyzing residual deformities following the surgical repair of unilateral cleft lip & palate (UCLP)
IRAS ID
152631
Contact name
Xiangyang Ju
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde
Research summary
We propose to develop a software tool to objectively investigate the dynamics of facial animations following the surgical repair of unilateral cleft lip and palate (UCLP). In UK, one out of every 600-700 live births is born with cleft lip and/or palate. Children of cleft cases are at an elevated risk of teasing and bullying because of the visible scar following cleft lip repair and associated distortion of facial expressions. It is the aim of surgeons repairing the cleft lip to achieve facial symmetry and undistorted facial expressions. Assessments of lip scarring are usually carried out using semi-quantitative scales which are subjective and of limited clinical reliability. With the advent of a 4D imaging technique (real time 3D facial capture) our team applied the technology to capture facial animations. The approach does not expose the patients to any harmful radiations and takes few seconds to record various expressions and this method has been validated. The method provides a world leading opportunity to quantify residual functional distortion of the lip following cleft repair and explore its dynamic basis. This would stimulate further refinement of the surgical techniques to improve the quality of cleft care.
REC name
North East - Tyne & Wear South Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
14/NE/1048
Date of REC Opinion
17 Jun 2014
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion