Evidence map›Paper›PMID 40986887›Full record

ArticlePlastic and reconstructive surgery2026

A Rating Scale for Obtaining Specific, Actionable Evaluations of Nasolabial Aesthetics after Unilateral Cleft Lip Repair.

Thomas J Sitzman, Thomas D Samson, Raymond W Tse, Damir B Matic, David M Fisher, Stephen P Beals, Alexander C Allori, Jeffrey R Marcus, Michael Bezuhly, Helena Hanna

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in Plastic and reconstructive surgery, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

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1 · What the graph read from it

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2 · The registry

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3 · Its place in the literature

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0 citing papers in PubMed.

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4 · The record

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5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

10 authors.

Thomas J SitzmanFrom the Division of Plastic Surgery, Phoenix Children's Hospital.
Thomas D SamsonDepartment of Surgery, Penn State Hershey Medical Center.
Raymond W TseDivision of Craniofacial and Plastic Surgery, Department of Surgery, Seattle Children's Hospital.
Damir B MaticLondon Plastic Surgery Clinic, Western University.
David M FisherDivision of Plastic Surgery, The Hospital for Sick Children.
Stephen P BealsBarrow Cleft and Craniofacial Center.
Alexander C AlloriDivision of Plastic, Maxillofacial and Oral Surgery, Duke University.
Jeffrey R MarcusDivision of Plastic, Maxillofacial and Oral Surgery, Duke University.
Michael BezuhlyDivision of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Dalhousie University.
Helena HannaFrom the Division of Plastic Surgery, Phoenix Children's Hospital.

Funding

Livingston Trout & Mellinger Medical Research Fund K23DE025023
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundSurgeons pursuing improvement in the aesthetic outcomes of their cleft lip repairs may benefit from a granular scale evaluating individual objectives of the repair.

methodsA working group of 9 surgeons convened to develop an assessment scale for nasolabial aesthetics after unilateral cleft lip repair. The group identified objectives of the repair that could be evaluated using two-dimensional facial photographs. Scale items were developed to appraise success or failure in achieving each objective. Scale items were iteratively tested and refined. The scale was subsequently implemented as part of a Continuing Medical Education course that included self-evaluation and peer-to-peer education, culminating in the formation of individual plans for improvement.

resultsTwelve distinct objectives of unilateral cleft lip repair were identified, of which 10 could be evaluated using photographs routinely obtained in clinical practice. A comprehensive scale was developed, incorporating these 10 objectives. Each scale item takes the form of a binary (yes/no) question evaluating a specific aesthetic concept, with accompanying reference images. Intrarater reliability for each item ranged from moderate to substantial (kappa value, 0.57 to 0.81). Interrater reliability ranged from fair to substantial (kappa value, 0.27 to 0.81). When implemented in a Continuing Medical Education course, the scale enabled surgeons to identify specific opportunities for improvement in their repair and specific surgical maneuvers to adopt in pursuit of these improvements.

conclusionsA new scale for evaluating outcomes of unilateral cleft lip repair is presented. The scale provides specific, actionable evaluations for individual objectives of the repair.

Indexed as

Cleft LipEstheticsLipNosePlastic Surgery ProceduresFemaleHumansMalePhotographyReproducibility of ResultsTreatment Outcome

Identifiers

PMID40986887
PMCPMC13132045

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LicenceCC BY-NC-ND
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Registered trials

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.