Effect of Cleft Width on the Outcome of Presurgical Nasoalveolar Molding in Patients With Unilateral Cleft Lip and Palate

The purpose of this study was to investigate the short-term effects of presurgical nasoalveolar molding (PNAM) according to cleft width (CW) in patients with unilateral cleft lip and palate (UCLP). In this retrospective study, 32 newborns with nonsyndromic UCLP treated with PNAM were allocated to 2 groups based on CW (group A, CW <= 5 mm; and group B, CW >5 mm). The following measurements were carried out using standardized photographs taken before and after PNAM therapy (before primary lip surgery): nostril axis inclination of healthy (NAI-NC) and cleft sides (NAI-C), columellar angle (CA), nasal base inclination (NBI), nasal floor width ratio (NFWR), alar base height ratio (ABHR), and columellar length ratio. Before PNAM therapy, there were significant differences between the 2 groups with respect to NAI-C, NBI, NFWR, and ABHR, indicating greater deformation of the nose in group B. After PNAM therapy, CA, NAI-C, NAI-NC, NFWR, and columellar length ratio were significantly improved in both the groups, whereas NBI and ABHR significantly worsened in group B. The improvement in CA, NAI-C, and NFWR was significantly greater in group B. Although a larger CW had some negative effects on the outcome of PNAM, it was found to be advantageous for nasal symmetry, if initiated as early as possible. Nevertheless, it is important to consider those aspects of the nasolabial area that are involved in the perception of symmetry when evaluating the effect of CW on PNAM outcomes in UCLP.