Nasoalveolar Molding Improves Long-Term Nasal Symmetry in Complete Unilateral Cleft Lip–Cleft Palate Patients

Abstract

The data demonstrate that the lower lateral and septal cartilages are more symmetric in the nasoalveolar molding patients compared with the surgery-alone patients. Furthermore, the improved symmetry observed in nasoalveolar molding-treated noses during the time of the primary surgery is maintained at 9 years of age.

A comparison of results using nasoalveolar moulding in cleft infants treated within 1 month of life versus those treated after this period: development of a new protocol

“…This study evaluated the effects of NAM on the nasoalveolar morphology until 18 months of age. So far, the longest follow up study for NAM has been carried out by BARILLAS et al 2 They evaluated the long term (9 years) nasal symmetry in complete UCLP patients following NAM and concluded that the lower lateral and septal cartilages are more symmetric in the nasoalveolar moulding patients compared with the surgery-alone patients. The improved symmetry observed in nasoalveolar moulding-treated noses during the time of the primary surgery is maintained at 9 years of age.…”

Long-Term Effects of Presurgical Infant Orthopedics in Patients with Cleft Lip and Palate: A Systematic Review

“…The survey strategy resulted in 319 articles, of which 12 were qualified for the final analysis in the first survey (eight RCTs, four CCTs) (Karling et al, 1993;Ross and MacNamera, 1994;Chan et al, 2003;Konst et al, 2003b;Bongaarts et al, 2004;Prahl et al, 2005Prahl et al, , 2008Bongaarts et al, 2006;Masarei et al, 2007;Bongaarts et al, 2008;Barillas et al, 2009;Bongaarts et al, 2009).…”

“…In terms of appliance design, one controlled study was retrieved on the nasolaveolar molding (NAM) approach (Barillas et al, 2009). Active palates were evaluated in two articles (Chan et al, 2003;Masarei et al, 2007) and passive plates in eight (Ross and MacNamera, 1994;Konst et al, 2003b;Bongaarts et al, 2004;Prahl et al, 2005Prahl et al, , 2008Bongaarts et al, 2006;Bongaarts et al, 2008;Bongaarts et al, 2009).…”

Cleft Lip and Palate

“…Studies have shown that when instituted at 1 week of age and continued for 3 to 4 months, NAM is effective in approximating the cleft as well as improving the nasal deformity. Specifically, patients undergoing NAM treatment experienced improved nasal alar symmetry, columella lengthening, and nasal tip projection [29][30][31][32] (Levels II to V evidence). The counter arguments include nasal relapse and maxillary growth constriction.…”