Nasal changes with nasoalveolar molding in Colombian patients with unilateral cleft lip and palate.
OBJECTIVE
Presurgical nasoalveolar molding (PNAM) is controversial in maxillofacial orthopedics. It supposedly improves the nasal esthetics and function in unilateral cleft lip/palate (UCLP) patients. However, there is no research available in South America to support this claim.  The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of presurgical nasoalveolar molding therapy on morphological changes of the noses of unilateral cleft lip/palate patients in a Colombian sample.


METHODS
Seventeen neonate UCLP patients using PNAM received facial impressions at  the beginning of treatment; before primary rhinocheiloplasty; and before palatoplasty. A submentovertex photograph of each cast was taken and analyzed by digital photogrammetry. Wilcoxon and Friedman tests were used for within- and between-group comparisons.


RESULTS
A statistically  significant reduction of cleft nostril width, without significant changes in noncleft nostril width or total nasal width, was found after PNAM. A significant increase in cleft and noncleft nostril height, plus a nonsignificant increase in nostril area in both sides and a nonsignificant uprighting  of the columella were found. These changes were maintained or further improved after rhinocheiloplasty.


CONCLUSIONS
The presurgical nasoalveolar molding technique improved nasal tip projection and alar cartilage depression and decreased partially columella deviation before rhinocheiloplasty  in South American unilateral cleft lip/palate patients.
Department of Basic Integrated Studies, College of Dentistry, University of Antioquia, Medellín, Colombia. anamarialopez@une.net.co
Ana María
AM
López-Palacio
Ana María
AM
Cerón-Zapata
David F
DF
Gómez
Angela P
AP
Dávila-Calle
María Adelaida
MA
Ojalvo-Arias
D002971:Cleft Lip / Q000473:pathology*; D002972:Cleft Palate / Q000473:pathology*; D003105:Colombia; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D009666:Nose / Q000473:pathology*