Use of a Three-dimensional Smartphone Scanner in the Quantitative Analysis of Repaired Unilateral Cleft Lip during the Coronavirus Disease Pandemic

Abstract

Background: 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.