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

Current Treatment Progress of Unilateral Cleft Lip Nasal Deformities

INTRODUCTION

Secondary nasal deformity following unilateral cleft lip is a common facial congenital malformation. Due to its complex treatment, there is currently no unified treatment plan in clinical practice. Dysplasia of cartilage, dislocation of muscles, and dysplasia of maxilla are the main causes of secondary nasal deformities of unilateral cleft lip. This article provides a comprehensive summary of the perioperative period and treatment process of unilateral cleft lip nasal deformities, aiming to find better clinical treatment guidance for patients with unilateral cleft lip and nasal deformity.

METHODS

A review of numerous previous studies on unilateral cleft lip nasal deformity, particularly within the last five years, was conducted to gather information on treatment strategies and perioperative care for unilateral cleft lip rhinoplasty.

CONCLUSION

Currently, there is still no unified final surgical method for the correction and treatment of unilateral cleft lip nasal deformity. In terms of surgical timing, simultaneous primary rhinoplasty and lip repair are gradually being recognized internationally, while intermediate rhinoplasty can be considered when it affects the patients social and psychological life. Patients with severe initial nasal deformity require multiple revisions. Secondary rhinoplasty remains the ideal treatment for final correction of secondary nasal deformities in unilateral cleft lip.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE V

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Stability of nasal symmetry following primary cleft lip and nasal repair: five years of follow-up

Despite advances in cleft lip treatment, various levels of residual deformity remain after primary repair of cleft lip and palate. The aim of the current study was to compare the stability of short- and long-term postoperative nasal symmetry. This retrospective study included 100 consecutive non-syndromic patients with unilateral complete cleft lip who underwent primary cleft lip repair with follow-up of 5 years. Measurements taken from basal and frontal standard photograph views, obtained preoperatively (T1) and immediately (T2), 1 year (T3), and 5 years postoperative (T4), were analysed. Paired and independent t-tests were applied to assess the significance of differences and relationships, while the inter-class correlation coefficient was used to assess reliability; P < 0.05 was considered significant. The male to female ratio was 1:1; mean age at the time of surgery was 0.43 ± 0.25 years. All patients showed significant improvements following unilateral complete cleft lip repair. All variables measured at T3 revealed a significant relapse when compared to T2, except alar base position, which showed a constant mean across all postoperative follow-ups. Late relapse (T3-T4) was not significant for alar collapse, alar base position, or columellar angle (all P > 0.05). On the other hand, columellar height (P = 0.003), and nostril height (P = 0.038) and width (P = 0.007) showed significant improvements during the late relapse period. In conclusion, the majority of the relapse and changes following the nasal cleft repair occurred within the first postoperative year. However, nasal asymmetries tended to remain stable or reduced during the first 5 postoperative years.

Short-term surgical outcomes in patients with unilateral complete cleft lip and palate after presurgical nasoalveolar molding therapy: A three-dimensional anthropometric study

OBJECTIVE

This brief research report aimed to evaluate the short-term efficacy of presurgical nasoalveolar molding (PNAM) therapy on the nasolabial morphology three dimensionally in patients with non-syndromic complete unilateral cleft lip and palate (UCLP).

METHODS

Thirty-six patients with non-syndromic complete unilateral complete cleft lip and palate were enrolled retrospectively and categorized into 2 groups: 18 patients who had received PNAM treatment (PNAM group) and 18 age-matched patients who have not receive PNAM treatment (no PNAM group) from 2017 to 2021. The average starting age for PNAM therapy was 18.33 days, and the average PNAM treatment duration was 99.08 days. Twelve nasolabial parameters were measured to compare the postsurgical outcomes of two groups.

RESULTS

In PNAM groups, cleft width, vertical distance between double Crista philtri and columellar deviation were reduced compared to that in no PNAM group. And nostril height was larger than that in no PNAM group. The differences between two groups were statistically significant (p < .05). There were no statistical differences in columellar length, nostril width and bi-alar width between two groups. However, the nostril width on cleft side in PNAM group was decreased by an average of 1.1 mm.

CONCLUSION

Our result indicated that PNAM therapy decreased cleft width and vertical distance between Crista philtri. It also increased nasal symmetry by decreasing columellar deviation, increasing nostril height.