ABSTRACT
Background: A significant improvement in the nasal symmetry after presurgical nasoalveolar molding (PNAM) is seen in complete unilateral cleft lip and palate (UCLP) infants. However, the follow-up changes in the nasal symmetry before and after PNAM and surgical repair have not been well documented. Materials and Methods: The purpose of this retrospective study is to assess the progressive changes in the nasal symmetry after PNAM and primary cheiloplasty to 1 year in complete UCLP infants. Out of 28 complete UCLP patients who were given PNAM treatment during the period between January 2014 to March 2019, 19 UCLP infants could be included for the study. Submental oblique photographs at the initial visit (T1), immediately after cheiloplasty (T2), and 1 year (T3) after cheiloplasty were selected, and quantity of nasal asymmetry at each period (T1-T2; T1-T3; and T2-T3) was analyzed by paired t-test (P < 0.05). Results: The quantity of asymmetry revealed that there was a highly significant improvement (P < 0.001) in nasal asymmetry at T1-T2 and T1-T3. Nonsignificant relapse was observed at T2-T3; however, a significant relapse in nasal dome height was observed during this period. Conclusion: The improvement in the nasal symmetry after cheiloplasty in PNAM-treated patients is maintained till 1 year postsurgically though there is a nonsignificant relapse.
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Presurgical nasoalveolar molding (PNAM) technique gave a new perspective to presurgical infant orthopedics. Nasal reconstruction presents a challenge for the plastic surgeons in case of patients with unilateral cleft lip and palate (UCLP). PNAM facilitates the reshaping of the nasal cartilage and molding of maxillary arch preoperatively. This therapy not only aids the surgical repair of lip but also enhances the overall postsurgical results with negligible postoperative scar. AIM: The aim of the study was to analyze nasal changes before and after PNAM in patients with complete UCLP. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This was a retrospective review of 22 ULCP patients who underwent PNAM before lip surgeries. A series of standard basilar view photographs in 1:1 ratio were taken, and linear measurements were done directly on the photographs. RESULTS: After PNAM therapy, there was highly significant increase in the nostril height, nostril dome height, and columella length (P < 0.001*) and highly significant reduction in the nostril width and nasal basal width (P < 0.001*). CONCLUSION: Significant improvement in the nasal symmetry was found after PNAM therapy in patients with complete UCLP.
Subject(s)
Alveolar Process/surgery , Cleft Lip/surgery , Cleft Palate/surgery , Oral Surgical Procedures/methods , Plastic Surgery Procedures/methods , Preoperative Care/methods , Cleft Lip/diagnosis , Cleft Palate/diagnosis , Female , Humans , Infant, Newborn , Male , Nasal Cartilages/surgery , Nasoalveolar Molding , Nose/surgery , Retrospective StudiesABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: The presurgical nasoalveolar molding (PNAM) technique gave a new perspective to presurgical infant orthopedics. Nasal reconstruction presents a challenge for the treating surgeons in case of patients with unilateral cleft lip and palate (UCLP). PNAM facilitates the reshaping of the nasal cartilage and molding of maxillary arch preoperatively. AIMS AND OBJECTIVE: The aim and objective of the present retrospective study was to analyze two-dimensional nasal changes before and after PNAM in patients with complete UCLP. MATERIALS AND METHOD: Twenty-two ULCP patients who underwent PNAM before lip surgery were considered in this study. A series of standard basilar view photographs in 1:1 ratio were taken and linear measurements were done digitally. RESULTS: After PNAM therapy, there was a significant increase in nostril height (P = 0.003) and highly significant increase in columella length (P = 0.001). There was also a highly significant decrease in nostril width (P = 0.001) and a significant decrease in nasal basal width (P = 0.02). CONCLUSION: There was a significant increase in nostril height and columella length and a significant decrease in nostril width and nasal basal width on the cleft side when treated with PNAM therapy in patients with complete UCLP. Hence, this therapy helps in improving the nasal symmetry in such patients and also aids in surgical procedures.