Abstract
Cleft lip, a major craniofacial abnormality, is highly prevalent among people with low socioeconomic status in Indonesia. Direct two-dimensional measurement of the affected region is the gold standard for surgical preparation; however, its compliance and usability are limited in pediatric patients. Modern smartphones, including iPhones, are equipped with high-resolution cameras, which can record images and videos of a face. Here, we investigated whether a three-dimensional (3D) smartphone scanner can be used for the facial measurements of patients with unilateral cleft lip. METHODS: Twelve facial measurements were acquired after cleft lip surgery in three female and seven male patients (aged 11-29 months) with unilateral cleft lip using direct anthropometry and a 3D smartphone scanner. The accuracy and precision of the 3D smartphone scanner were assessed through comparative analyses (t test and Bland-Altman plot). RESULTS: The anthropometric data obtained using the 3D smartphone scanner matched the direct measurement data. The linear measurements did not differ significantly between two-dimensional and 3D modalities (P > 0.05). The intraobserver reliabilities of the two-dimensional smartphone scanner of the first and second observers were high (intraclass correlation coefficient 0.876-0.993 and Cronbach alpha 0.920-0.998) and moderate to high (intraclass correlation coefficient 0.839-0.996 and Cronbach alpha 0.940-0.996), respectively. Inter-observer data showed an intraclass correlation coefficient of 0.876-0.981 and a Cronbach α of 0.960-0.997. CONCLUSION: The 3D smartphone scanner is effective, efficient, economical, quick, and feasible for facial measurements of patients with unilateral cleft lip and is a viable alternative to direct two-dimensional measurements.