The use of a simplified nasal stent in infants with complete unilateral cleft lip and palate

Efficacy of Post-Surgical Nostril Retainer (PSNR) in patients with UCLP Treated with Pre-Surgical NasoAlveolar Molding (NAM) and Primary Cheiloplasty-Rhinoplasty

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this investigation is to determine if the nasal form of patients with unilateral cleft lip and palate (UCLP) treated with pre-surgical nasoalveolar molding (NAM) therapy, primary lip-nose surgery, and post-surgical Nostril Retainer (PSNR) is different from patients treated with pre-surgical NAM and primary lip and nose surgery alone.

DESIGN

A cross-sectional, retrospective review of 50 consecutive non-syndromic patients with UCLP: 24 treated with NAM and primary lip-nose surgery followed by PSNR (Group I) compared to 26 patients treated with NAM and primary lip-nose surgery without PSNR (Group II). Polyvinyl siloxane nasal impressions were performed at the average age of 12 months and 6 days. Bilateral measurements of alar width at maximum convexity, total alar base width, nasal tip projection, columella length, and nostril aperture width and height were recorded. Statistical comparison of cleft versus non-cleft side nasal measurements were performed within Group I and Group II, as well as comparison of the difference between the two groups.

RESULTS

Cleft side nasal dimension was statistically significantly better in Group I than Group II across all measures except nasal projection (P<0.05). Group I showed less difference between the cleft and non-cleft side in all six measurements than Group II (p<0.05).

CONCLUSION

There is a significant difference in the nasal shape of patients who underwent PSNR compared to those that did not. The patients who used PSNR showed better nasal shape at the average age of 12 months than the control group.

Application of a Novel Nasal Clip for Nostril Retention After Primary Unilateral Cleft Rhinoplasty

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to investigate the outcomes of using a novel nasal clip designed for nostril retention after primary unilateral cleft rhinoplasty.

DESIGN

This is a retrospective study.

SETTING

Department of Cleft Lip and Palate in a stomatological hospital.

PATIENTS

A retrospective study was conducted on 57 patients who had a unilateral complete cleft lip without cleft palate and underwent primary surgical repair.

INTERVENTIONS

The patients were categorized into 3 groups: the group in which the conventional nasal retainer was used, that in which the nasal clip was used, and the control group in which no postoperative nasal retainer was used. The nasal retainer or our nasal clip was applied 7 days after primary surgical repair and kept in the nostrils of children from 6 to 12 months.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Noses underwent photogrammetry preoperatively, postoperatively, and at follow-up. The nose was also subjectively scored at the follow-up.

RESULTS

The nasal retainer and the nasal clip significantly minimized relapse as determined by nasal tip deviation. The nasal clip sustained nasal symmetry, as determined by the postoperative nostril width ratio, better than did the conventional retainer. After 6 to 12 months, the nasal clip achieved better columellar morphology and a more symmetric nasal base than did the conventional nasal retainer. Statistical differences in subjective scores between the control and nostril retention groups were noted.

CONCLUSION

The application of the novel nasal clip after primary unilateral cleft rhinoplasty preserves nasal morphology and reduces postoperative relapse without the need for adhesive tape.

An Innovation of Postsurgical Nasal Retainer in a Unilateral Cleft Lip and Palate Patient

ABSTRACT

Postoperative nasal asymmetry is a notable problem following primary cleft lip repair and cleft rhinoplasty in patients with unilateral cleft lip and palate. Postsurgical nasal retainer could play an essential role in maintaining the corrected position of the nose during the healing process. However, the manufactured retainers are usually not affordable, nor individualized. The authors report the efficacy of our custom-made postoperative nasal retainer, made from an oxygen nasal cannula, acrylic resin, and orthodontic wire made of stainless steel, in a patient with complete unilateral cleft lip and palate.

Rapid intraoperative fabrication of an inexpensive, reliable nasal stent for use after primary cleft nasal repair

Nasal stents are frequently used to maintain corrected nostril shape following primary cleft lip and nasal repair. Various stents have been described, but they are often cumbersome to generate, expensive, or difficult to retain. The author describes a rapid, effective, and inexpensive alternative to previously described commercially available or molded nasal stents whereby a nasal stent is fabricated from a pediatric nasal oxygen cannula. All patients in whom this stent has been used to date tolerated it well with no complication and with good maintenance of nostril shape at a minimum of 6 months follow-up.