Labial-Nasal Evaluation for Nasal Floor Reconstruction With the New Triangular Flap in Unilateral Cleft Lip Repair.

In this study, we present a modified technique for primary cleft lip repair with a rotation triangular flap from the cleft lateral side to reconstruct the nasal floor; and evaluate the outcome compared with traditional Millard repair.40 patients with unilateral cleft lip were included in this research. The patients were divided into 2 groups; 17 patients treated with the Millard technique, and 23 patients treated with the newly modified technique. 14 measurement indexes were employed to evaluate the nose-lip morphology of postoperative patients with UCCL in standardized photographs preoperatively, postoperatively and 1-year follow-up.For lip symmetry, statistical significance was detected in the measurements of the vertical philtral height ratio indicating that the newly modified technique resolve the shortage of lip height on the cleft side 1-year follow-up. (P < .05). In addition, statistical significance was detected in the 1-year postoperative columellar angle, alar width ratio, nostril width ratio, nostril height ratio, and nostril shape (cleft) (P < .05), showing more successful repair of the nose compared with the traditional repair.The modified unilateral cleft lip repair with rotation triangle flap from the cleft lateral side was beneficial in the correction of lip and nasal deformity in and had positive effects on labial symmetry.

Presurgical Nasal Molding With a Nasal Spring in Patients With Mild-to-Moderate Nasal Deformity With Incomplete Unilateral Cleft Lip With or Without Cleft Palate.

OBJECTIVE: Traditional nasoalveolar molding (NAM) requires steep learning curve for clinicians and significant compliance from parents. Nasal springs have been developed by the author to simplify presurgical nasal molding. This article presents the design, construction, and application of the spring. The treatment goal is to improve nasal deformity prior to primary repair in infants born with incomplete unilateral cleft lip with or without cleft palate. METHOD: The design, fabrication, and utility of the nasal spring are described. The spring has a simpler design and construction compared to a traditional NAM appliance. PARTICIPANTS: Two patients with incomplete unilateral cleft lip with and without cleft palate are presented. INTERVENTIONS: The spring is constructed and delivered. The active arm of the spring can be 3-dimensionally (3-D) adjusted to mold the alar cartilage of the affected nostril. The spring does not require an oral plate for adherence as a traditional NAM appliance does, hence an oral impression is not needed. The spring is easy for clinicians to adjust. It also requires less compliance by parents. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES/RESULTS: The presurgical molding achieved by the use of a nasal spring improved surgical nasolabial aesthetic outcomes. CONCLUSION: The nasal springs are effective in reducing the initial cleft nasal deformity. This facilitates primary surgical cleft lip and nose correction and improves surgical outcomes in patients with incomplete unilateral cleft lip with or without cleft palate.

Objective measurements for grading the nasal esthetics on Basal view in individuals with secondary cleft nasal deformity.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study is to ascertain objective nasal measurements from the basal view that are predictive of nasal esthetics in individuals with secondary cleft nasal deformity. DESIGN: Thirty-three patients who had undergone unilateral cleft lip repair were retrospectively reviewed in this study. The degree of nasal deformity was subjectively ranked by seven surgeons using standardized basal-view measurements. Nine physical objective parameters including angles and ratios were measured. Correlations and regressions between these objective and subjective measurements were then analyzed. RESULTS: There was high concordance in subjective measurements by different surgeons (Kendall's harmonious coefficient = W = .825, P = .006). The strongest predictive factors for nasal aesthetics were the ratio of length of nasal alar (r = .370, P = .034) and the degree of deviation of the columnar axis (r = .451, P = .008). The columellar angle had a more powerful effect in rating nasal esthetics. CONCLUSION: There was reliable concordance in subjective ranking of nasal esthetics by surgeons. Measurement of the columnar angle may serve as an independent, objective predictor of esthetics of the nose.

Rapid intraoperative fabrication of an inexpensive, reliable nasal stent for use after primary cleft nasal repair.

Nasal stents are frequently used to maintain corrected nostril shape following primary cleft lip and nasal repair. Various stents have been described, but they are often cumbersome to generate, expensive, or difficult to retain. The author describes a rapid, effective, and inexpensive alternative to previously described commercially available or molded nasal stents whereby a nasal stent is fabricated from a pediatric nasal oxygen cannula. All patients in whom this stent has been used to date tolerated it well with no complication and with good maintenance of nostril shape at a minimum of 6 months follow-up.

Definitive Rhinoplasty and Orthognathic Surgery for Patients with Cleft Lip Palate.

While primary cleft lip nasal deformity has been well described, secondary cleft lip nasal deformity reflects the combination of residual deformity that follows primary operative maneuvers and growth-related nasal distortions. Secondary cleft lip nasal deformities are further associated with underlying skeletal and dentofacial abnormalities along with soft tissue constriction adding to the complexity of the deformity and posing major aesthetic and functional challenges to the multidisciplinary care team. Definitive rhinoplasties are performed to address these deformities and improve the quality of life in cleft patients following skeletal maturity and ideally after all underlying skeletal discrepancies have been corrected by orthognathic surgery. Maxillary advancement with or without mandibular setback is often required after careful planning and orthodontic preparation. Patients with cleft lip benefit tremendously from definitive rhinoplasty irrespective of inevitable residual discrepancies that remain and adjuvant therapies could enhance the overall outcome.

The Necessity of Nostril Retention Application After Secondary Unilateral Cleft Rhinoplasty.

BACKGROUND: This study aims to investigate the necessity of nostril retention after secondary unilateral cleft rhinoplasty. METHODS: Seventy four patients who underwent secondary unilateral cleft rhinoplasty were categorized into control group, nasal retainer group, and nasal clip group. A nasal retainer or nasal clip was applied 7 days after secondary correction and retained in the nostrils of the patients for 6 to 12 months. Measurements from pre- and post-operative photos and patient-reported outcomes were used in this study. RESULTS: After 6 to 12 months, although relapse still occurred in three groups, the nasal retainer group showed a better effect in the ratio of nostril height, whereas the nasal clip group showed a significant improvement in the ratio of nasal base. And both the two groups also showed significant improvement in the ratio of nasal columella. Patients from the control group generally had lower Derriford Appearance Scale (DAS) scores than the nasal retainer group and nasal clip group. Wearing a nasal retainer may negatively influence self-concept, facial self-consciousness of appearance and physical state, and significant differences in mean scores were also found in 9 items. CONCLUSIONS: The nostril retention after secondary unilateral cleft rhinoplasty could help preserve nasal morphology and reduce postoperative relapse but worsen the patients' quality of life. The necessity of applying the nostril retention should consider the forms of nasal deformity and the potential influence on the quality of life. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 3 Laryngoscope, 133:1618-1623, 2023.

Treatment Modalities to Achieve Nasal Symmetry in Unilateral Cleft Lip/Nasal Deformity: An Objective and Comparative Evaluation.

Introduction: Primary cleft lip repair techniques do not address the nasal deformity adequately resulting in nasal asymmetry. Maneuvers employed to minimize this have varying degrees of success. Aim: To assess the outcome of different treatment modalities employed to establish nasal symmetry in unilateral cleft lip. Methods: 100 patients with complete unilateral cleft lip/ palate operated for primary cheiloplasty with modified Millard's rotation advancement technique were divided into five groups. Group 1: lip repair alone, Group 2: NAM followed by lip repair, Group 3: lip repair followed by placement of conformers, Group 4: NAM followed by lip repair and placement of conformers, Group 5: lip repair with semi-open rhinoplasty. Objective assessment was done using measurable parameters after 12 months post-operatively on a 1:1 standard photograph. Results: Group 5 showed statistical significance in all parameters assessed. Progressive improvement in nasal symmetry was noted from Group 1 to Group V. Conclusion: In our study, group V, i.e., modified Millard's repair with semi-open rhinoplasty improved the results in terms of all the objective parameters assessed. The results of the other groups showed improvement though not consistent in all parameters. Naso-alveolar molding is an effective adjunct. Additionally, nasal conformers proved to be of great value in retaining the results obtained post-surgery.

Cleft Rhinoplasty.

An understanding of anatomy and pathophysiology of the cleft nasal deformity is crucial to its management, including selection of correct surgical techniques for repair. Timing of intermediate and definitive rhinoplasty should be considered carefully, with definitive rhinoplasty occurring after management of facial skeletal deformities. At the time of definitive rhinoplasty, the septum, external and internal nasal valves, alar base malposition (and corresponding bony deficiency), and position and shape of the lower lateral cartilage and the columella all must be individually considered. Thorough knowledge of rhinoplasty techniques is crucial to address the cleft nasal deformity with optimal functional and aesthetic outcomes.

Primary rhinoplasty in unilateral incomplete cleft lip nose: A 4-year follow up.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to assess aesthetic result and parents' satisfaction of primary rhinoplasty in unilateral incomplete cleft lip patients. METHODS: Thirty-two consecutive unilateral incomplete cleft lip nose patients were operated in the tertiary hospital from 2012 to 2014. Primary rhinoplasty was done following the principle of the modified McComb repair. Nostril height, dome height, alar base width, nostril height to width ratio, dome height to nostril width ratio, nasolabial angle and columella deviation were measured on preoperative and 4-year postoperative photographs. Visual analogue scale (VAS) was assessed for each parent before the surgery and 4-year postoperatively. RESULTS: The preoperative and postoperative photographic analysis revealed significant improvement in nostril height ratio and dome height ratio. Nostril height to width ratio and dome height to nostril width ratio significantly increased. Alar base width significantly decreased. The nasolabial and columella deviation angles improved significantly. The mean parent-related satisfactory assessment based on the VAS showed statistically improved scores postoperatively. CONCLUSION: We believe this technique with minimal dissection could improve symmetry and satisfaction, although every individual surgeon could choose his preferable technique based on the components of correction that he is capable of executing reliably while considering the long-term outcomes.

The conchal butterfly graft in secondary reconstruction of the bilateral cleft lip nasal deformity.

OBJECTIVES: The bilateral cleft nasal deformity is characterized by a short columella and a broad, flattened nasal tip. Secondary correction is challenging and often complicated by skin envelope scarring and hypoplastic alar cartilages. Adequate and durable tip projection requires a procedure that adequately augments the nasal tip and maximizes tip support. We describe a novel technique for secondary correction of this deformity in the immature pediatric population. METHODS: The conchal butterfly graft technique utilizes a folded cartilage construct to simultaneously increase tip projection and provide tip support. A retrospective review of 19 consecutive patients with bilateral cleft lip who underwent secondary tip rhinoplasty utilizing our technique over a 7-year period was conducted. Charts were reviewed for age at operation, length of follow-up and secondary revision procedures. Pre- and post-operative photographs were compared using two different methods to assess the degree of change and overall aesthetic result. Three plastic surgeons who previously were unfamiliar with the technique independently rated seven nasal tip characteristics. Nasal tip projection (NTP) was then measured objectively by two widely utilized methods: the Goode method and the Baum method-modified by Powell. RESULTS: Long lasting correction of the bilateral cleft nasal deformity was achieved utilizing this technique in 19 patients over a 7-year period with a mean length of follow-up of 5.4 years. We demonstrate augmented nasal tip projection that approaches ideal relationships from both relative measurement and survey data. CONCLUSION: The conchal butterfly graft technique is effective for reconstruction of the bilateral cleft nasal deformity, and in our experience, has resulted in long lasting nasal projection and overall improved facial balance.

Management of the Nasal Deformity in the Unilateral Cleft of the Lip and Nose.

Cleft rhinoplasty is a demanding, technique-sensitive procedure. Part art, part science; it poses several probing questions to the surgeon. The unilateral cleft nasal deformity is a distinct entity because the pursuit of symmetry in the unilateral cleft nose makes the repair much more challenging. The advent of nasoalveolar moulding, the gaining popularity of primary (early) nasal repair and greater refinements in secondary (definitive) rhinoplasty techniques have contributed to better nasal results in unilateral cleft repair. Yet, some obstacles remain. This paper aims to discuss the anatomy of the unilateral cleft nose, enumerate aims and objectives of repair at every stage, and to demonstrate the evolution and varied rationale of management of nasal deformities in the unilateral cleft lip and nose.

Postoperative alar base symmetry in complete unilateral cleft lip and palate:A prospective study.

In the evolution of cleft lip repair, there have been continuous attempts to minimize local trauma and to improve lip and nasal appearances. In order to obtain an aesthetically balanced development of midface, the primary surgical correction of the nasolabial area is of paramount importance. In this study, the importance of a back-cut extending cephalically above the inferior turbinate at the mucocutaneous junction which elevates the nostril floor on the cleft side for the purpose of achieving symmetry of the alar bases are analyzed by pre and postoperative photographic anthropometry. This study comprised of fifty cases of the unilateral complete cleft lip. At the time of surgery, the patient age ranged from 3-9 months. The surgeries, performed by a single surgeon, employed the standard Millard technique, incorporating Mohler modifications of lip repair. Anthropometric analysis revealed that the preoperative mean difference between the normal side and the cleft side was 0.2056 with a standard deviation of 0.133. In the postoperative analysis, the mean difference was reduced to 0.0174 with a standard deviation of 0.141. The paired t-test showed that the p-value is <0.001, indicating high statistical significance. To conclude, in complete unilateral cleft lip and palate, the geometrically placed nasal back-cut incision has a definite role in the correction of the alar base symmetry during primary surgery.

Intermediate and Definitive Cleft Rhinoplasty.

Intermediate and definitive cleft rhinoplasties are a challenging part of definitive cleft care. The anatomy of the cleft nose is severely affected by the structural deficits associated with congenital orofacial clefting. A comprehensive understanding of the related anatomy is crucial for understanding how to improve the appearance and function in patients with secondary cleft nasal deformities. Timing of intermediate and definitive rhinoplasty should be carefully considered. A thorough understanding of advanced rhinoplasty techniques is an important part of providing adequate care for patients with these deformities.

Controversies in the Management of Patients with Cleft Lip and Palate.

Cleft lip and palate is one of the most common congenital anomalies. For many years, surgeons have been attempting to reduce the severity of the deformity before the surgical repair to achieve a better outcome. The nasoalveolar molding technique uses acrylic nasal stents attached to the vestibular shield of an oral molding plate to mold the nasal alar cartilages into a more normal form and position during the presurgical period. Proponents of nasoalveolar molding claim several benefits, including improved aesthetic outcome, reduced overall costs, and a psychosocial benefit to the family. Research on these outcomes is not conclusive.

Correction of the cleft nasal deformity: from infancy to maturity.

The cleft nasal deformity remains the most likely stigma of the cleft to remain plainly visible despite vigorous and repeated attempts at correction. This deformity is present at birth, but evolves over time. Certain aspects can be treated early, but some, such as the dorsal and septal deformity continue to develop as facial growth proceeds through adolescence. This article presents a conceptual mechanism and a philosophy of conservative reliable gains starting at the primary operation, with the long-term view of achieving definitive correction at maturity. Cogent planning of longitudinal care of the deformity from infancy leads to solid, predictable results.

Unilateral cleft lip repair.

Modern cleft surgery requires four-dimensional and functional anatomic understanding of the cleft (and noncleft) lip, nose, and alveolus. Some techniques for nasolabial repair rely more on precise anatomic geometry, whereas others afford the surgeon a more flexible design. Consistent anthropometry enables accurate assessment and reporting of long-term outcomes; such reports are needed to guide perioperative care, delineate optimal repair principles, and resolve ongoing controversies.

Simplifying cleft surgery by presurgical nasoalveolar molding (PNAM) for infant born with unilateral cleft lip, alveolus, and palate: a clinical report.

PATIENT: A 2-day-old female infant with complete unilateral cleft lip, alveolus, and palate (left side) was presented to the Department of Prosthodontics, Government Dental College and Hospital, Nagpur for evaluation and treatment with presurgical nasoalveolar molding (PNAM) prior to surgical intervention. DISCUSSION: The alignment of the alveolar segments creates the foundation upon which excellent results of primary lip and nasal surgery are dependent in the repair of the cleft lip, alveolus, and palate patient. Presurgical infant orthopedics has been employed since the 1950s as an adjunctive neonatal therapy for the correction of cleft lip and palate. One of the problems that the traditional approach failed to address was the deformity of the nasal cartilages and the deficiency of columella tissue in infants with unilateral and bilateral cleft lip and palate. The purpose of this article is to illustrate the step-by-step fabrication process of the PNAM prosthesis used to direct growth of the alveolar segments, lips, and nose in the presurgical treatment of cleft lip and palate. CONCLUSION: As a result, the primary surgical repair of the lip and nose heals under minimal tension, thereby reducing scar formation and improving the esthetic result. Frequent surgical intervention to achieve the desired esthetic results can be avoided by PNAM.

Cleft nasal deformity and rhinoplasty.

The cleft nasal deformity is a complex challenge in plastic surgery involving the skin, cartilage, mucosa, and skeletal platform. Ever since Blair and Brown first described the intricacies of the cleft pathology in 1931, the appropriate approach has been extensively debated in the literature with respect to timing, technique, and extent of surgical intervention. In this article, the authors review the literature and summarize the various modalities for achieving a successful rhinoplasty in the patient with a cleft nasal deformity.

Contemporary concepts for the bilateral cleft lip and nasal repair.

The bilateral cleft lip and nasal deformity presents a complex challenge for repair. Surgical techniques continue to evolve and are focused on primary anatomic realignment of the tissues. This can be accomplished in a single-stage or two-stage repair early in infancy to provide a foundation for future growth of the lip and nasal tissue. Most cleft surgeons currently perform a single-stage repair for simplifying patient care. Certain institutions utilize presurgical orthopedics for alignment of the maxillary segments and nasal shaping. Methods for the bilateral cleft lip repair are combined with various open and closed rhinoplasty techniques to achieve improved correction of the primary nasal deformity. There is recent focus on shaping the nose for columellar and tip support, as well as alar contour and alar base position. The authors will present a new technique for closure of the nasal floor to prevent the alveolar cleft fistula. Although the alveolar fistula is closed, alveolar bone grafting is still required at the usual time in dental development to fuse the maxilla. It is paramount to try and minimize the stigmata of secondary deformities that historically have been characteristic of the repaired bilateral cleft lip. A properly planned and executed repair reduces the number of revisions and can spare a child from living with secondary deformities.