Journal of Rehabilitation Research Current Updates
Validation of a Lip Asymmetry Scale and Determination of Lip Asymmetry Associated Factors Among Children Following Primary Unilateral Cleft Lip Repair at Corsu Rehabilitation Hospital, Uganda
Abstract
Lubega William, Martin Tungotyo and Andrew Hodges
This cross-sectional study involving 80 children assessed lip asymmetry after primary unilateral cleft lip (UCL) repair at CoRSU Rehabilitation Hospital in Uganda. The research aimed to determine the prevalence and associated factors of lip asymmetry and validate a visual analog Unilateral Cleft Lip Asymmetry Scale (UCLAS).
Key findings included:
• 100% of participants had some degree of lip asymmetry.
• 17.5% had severe lip asymmetry.
• Factors significantly associated with severe asymmetry included respiratory infection 14 days prior to surgery, surgical technique, surgeon’s cadre, early postoperative complications, and assessments within 6 months post- surgery. UCLAS proved reliable, with good fair to almost perfect intra- and inter-rater agreement and high internal consistency (Cronbach’s α > 0.8).