Presurgical Orthopedic Treatment Using Modified Nostril Retainers in Patients With Unilateral Cleft Lip With or Without Cleft Palate

Nasal Duplication: A Review of Literature and Case Report

INTRODUCTION

Nasal duplication is a rare congenital deformity with many subtypes including supernumerary nostril. The challenge of surgical correction is to achieve nasal symmetry and restore nasal airflow. However, there is no defined protocol for treatment, especially with regard to presurgical therapy.

METHODS

We performed a review of literature of studies reporting on patients with supernumerary nostril to complete this review. We then report on a patient with supernumerary nostril who was treated with nostril expansion therapy prior to surgical intervention.

RESULTS

We identified 59 cases of nostril duplication. Because of the rarity of the condition, treatment protocols varied greatly. For our patient, preoperative nasal appliance therapy was implemented for 3 months prior to surgical intervention. Patient was followed-up regularly for 1 year.

DISCUSSION

Although literature on nasal duplication is scarce, there is a general agreement that early intervention has psychological, anatomic, and functional benefits to the patient. In our case report, nostril expansion therapy was easy to implement and facilitated surgical reconstruction, resulting in aesthetic outcome and expanded airway 1 year postoperatively.

A New Approach to Presurgical Nasoalveolar Molding in Patients With Unilateral Cleft Lip and Palate and Severe Cleft Width

The aim of this study was to describe a new approach to the presurgical orthopedic treatment of unilateral cleft lip and palate patients with severe cleft width. Modified nostril retainers manufactured from soft acrylic were used for the nasal molding. This technique enables the separation of the nasal molding without having to reduce the cleft width to 5 mm. Nasal molding with the modified nostril retainer resulted in the patient and the physician experiencing a more comfortable treatment period.