Initial experiences with NAM-assisted primary repair of the BCLP deformity.

BACKGROUND: Primary surgical repair of the bilateral cleft lip and palate (BCLP) deformity is challenging. Infant Orthopedic (IO) procedures are often used to assist surgical reconstruction of normal anatomy. Nasoalveolar molding (NAM) is a presurgical infant orthopedic procedure that attempts to reduce the cleft nasal deformity, in addition to the lip and alveolus, leading to an esthetic primary surgical repair. OBJECTIVE: NAM provides the surgical team with a better foundation for an easier and more esthetic single stage repair at the level of nose in addition to the lip and alveolus. METHOD: Infant nasal cartilages are amenable to correction with NAM in the first few weeks of infancy when they retain their plasticity. NAM-assisted surgical repair of a complete BCLP infant is discussed. Postoperatively nasal stents were used to retain results and minimize relapse. RESULTS: NAM helped correct premaxillary deviation and protrusion, reduce alveolar cleft width and improve the nasal morphology prior to surgery in the BCLP infant. CONCLUSIONS: NAM helped reduce the severity of the cleft deformity in the BCLP infant and facilitated an easier and esthetic single stage primary surgical repair.

Alternative approaches to managing the cleft alveolus.

The cleft alveolus component of the oral cleft deformity is addressed with a separate surgical stage. Several host and operator related factors affect the surgical outcome. When factors that increase the likelihood of secondary alveolar bone graft failure are identified, alterative methods like dentoalveolar distraction (DAD) may be employed. In infants, molding of the alveolar segments is possible and when a synergistic surgical approach is used, the possibility of successful alveolar cleft repair is increased. The authors present two case reports wherein the use of nasoalveolar molding (NAM) and DAD helped to tackle the alveolar cleft deformity.