Comparison of Goslon Yardstick and Cephalometric Analysis in Nonsyndromic Unilateral Cleft lip and Palate Individuals in the Western Cape, South Africa

ObjectiveTo establish correlations between skeletal jaw relationship measured on lateral cephalograms and Goslon Yardstick scores for dental arch relationship (DAR) on orthodontic study models for unilateral cleft lip and palate (UCLP).DesignRetrospective review of consecutive cases.SettingMultidisciplinary cleft and craniofacial clinics at two tertiary care centers in the Western Cape, South Africa.PatientsForty-nine consecutive patients with nonsyndromic UCLP before they received orthodontic treatment and secondary alveolar bone graft (SABG).InterventionsFourteen cephalometric angles measured by two observers and Goslon Yardstick scores determined by three observers. Inter- and intraobserver reliability determined using Cohen's Weighted Kappa statistic.Main Outcome MeasuresAge, gender, and side of cleft were recorded. Cephalometric measurements and Goslon scores compared with regression analysis to determine correlations between angle ANB (cephalometric angle indicating anteroposterior relationship between the maxilla and mandible) and Goslon scores.ResultsMean age 10.7 years; 22 males and 27 females. Thirty-four (69.4%) of the clefts were left-sided. Kappa statistics ranged from good to very good for inter- and intraobserver reliability for cephalometric measurements and Goslon scores. No statistically significant differences between genders for cephalometric measurements and Goslon scores (<i>P</i> > .05). Mean ANB = 0.2(2.39) indicates Class III skeletal relationships for these individuals. Mean Goslon score 2.89. There was a moderate negative correlation of <i>r</i> = -0.5691 (<i>P</i> = 0) between ANB and Goslon score.ConclusionModerate negative correlation between ANB and Goslon Yardstick provides evidence that Goslon scores are valid and reliable indicators of skeletal jaw discrepancy for UCLP without the errors encountered using cephalometric radiographs.