OUTCOME ANALYSIS OF A MODIFIED TAJIMA PROCEDURE

Secondary nasal correction of cleft patients is acknowledged to be a d ifficult problem. There are many different operations but few objectiv e assessments of their results. We have evaluated the results of a mod ified Tajima operation by use of the Bristol computer technique. Eight een patients were followed up for a mean of 33 months (range 10-56). M easures of asymmetry were obtained for different photographic views, p reoperatively and at later postoperative visits.In all views there was a significant improvement in shape in the early postoperative photos. This same improvement was also seen when comparing preoperative to la te postoperative results i.e. this initial improvement is maintained o ver time. There was no significant difference between the early and la te postoperative views. In this small series the modified Tajima techn ique has given statistically significant lasting improvement. However, few other operations have been objectively assessed and hence compari son is difficult. We advocate the use of the computer technique for ot her procedures to allow meaningful comparisons between them.