Stephanie Julia Kosasih & Viskasari Pintoko Kalanjati

Nasal morphology in patients with cleft lip plays a critical role in both aesthetic balance and functional integrity. Nasal index is a key anthropometric measurement determines surgical plan and outcome in cleft deformities. A systematic literature search was conducted using PRISMA guidelines. Studies assessing nasal dimensions in female cleft lip patients post-early primary rhinoplasty versus healthy controls using photogrammetric or 3D morphometric methods were included. Data were synthesized using RevMan 5.4.1, and pooled mean differences were calculated for nasal width, height, and index. Risk of bias was controlled using JBI appraisal tools. Two eligible studies (case vs. controls: n = 45 vs. 54; μ ± SD = 19.18 years old) were included in the quantitative synthesis. In the patients, the commonest diagnoses are consecutive non-syndromic patients with unilateral cleft lip nose deformity who underwent primary rhinoplasty. Meta-analysis showed that nasal width and height in the patients were greater than in controls (MD = 1.22 mm, 95 % CI: 0.26 to 2.18, p = 0.01, I2 = 84 %; MD = 0.77 mm, 95 % CI: -0.49 to 2.04, p = 0.23 I2 = 0 %, respectively). The nasal index revealed no statistically difference (MD = 0.92, 95 % CI: -2.50 to 4.34, p = 0.60, I2 = 25 %). The limited number of studies restricts conclusive interpretation, though findings were consistent across sensitivity analyses.

KEY WORDS: Nasal index; Rhinoplasty; Cleft lip palate; Health outcomes.

KOSASIH, S. J. & KALANJATI, V. P. Nasal index and its correlation with rhinoplasty outcomes: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Int. J. Morphol., 44(3):949-958, 2026.