Recent Advances in Nasoalveolar Molding Therapy Using 3D Technology

The Efficacy of Naso-Alveolar Molding on Premaxilla Pushback and Dentoalveolar Changes in Patients With Bilateral Cleft Lip and Palate

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the extent of naso-alveolar molding (NAM) in pushing the premaxilla posteriorly in patients with bilateral cleft lip and palate (BCLP).

BACKGROUND

Naso-alveolar molding application in cleft lip and palate cases bridges the cleft gap and increases nasal tip projection. In BCLP, NAM potentially mobilizes the premaxilla posteriorly to allow tension-free primary lip closure. However, some patients with BCLP with NAM history still necessitate osteotomy during labioplasty, questioning the efficacy of NAM for BCLP management.

METHODS

This single-center retrospective study was conducted using medical records of nonsyndromic patients with BCLP. Twenty-six patients with BCLP were enrolled over a 5-year period with a history of NAM application before primary labioplasty. The changes in premaxilla width (P), anterior arch width (A), posterior arch width (R), and anteroposterior projection of the premaxilla (P'-A') were statistically analyzed at 2 time points: (1) at the start of NAM application (T1) and (2) after completion of NAM before surgery (T2).

RESULTS

The average age at NAM initiation was 46.2 ± 40.4 days, and the average duration of NAM usage was 125.14 ± 62.94 days. A and P-A showed significant differences between T1 and T2 (P < 0.0001), whereas the rest did not show significant differences in value following NAM application (P > 0.05). Naso-alveolar molding successfully pushed back the premaxilla portion about 4.68 ± 2.83 mm on average.

CONCLUSION

Naso-alveolar molding can push back the premaxillary protrusion up to 5 mm, which can serve as a cutoff point for the consideration of combined modalities. Prenatal diagnosis, counseling, and cleft education should be the benchmark in cleft centers to improve overall patient outcomes.

Research Trends in Presurgical Infant Orthopaedic Treatment in Patients with Cleft Lip and Palate: A Bibliometric Analysis of 100 Most-Cited Articles

OBJECTIVE

To assess research trends and publication patterns of literature related to presurgical infant orthopaedics (PSIO) through a bibliometric analysis of the top 100 most-cited articles.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

The top 100 most-cited articles were identified in the Web of Science (WoS) database using search terms related to PSIO on April 23, 2024, without any restrictions to study design, publication date and language. Standard information about each study was extracted. Citations from WoS, Scopus and PubMed databases were compared. The level of evidence for each article included was assessed. Association between different variables was calculated using Spearman's correlation coefficient with statistical significance set at p < 0.05. Visual analysis of the author's keyword co-occurrence, co-authorship analysis of authors, and citation analysis of journals and authors were performed using VOSviewer.

RESULTS

Top cited articles were published from 1994 to 2020, with total individual database citations being WoS (n = 5378), Scopus (n = 6184) and PubMed (n =  10 450). Eleven articles were considered classic articles. Cleft Palate and Craniofacial Journal (Impact Factor = 1.1) had a maximum number of articles and citations. Two hundred eighty-five individuals contributed to top-cited articles, with 62 corresponding authors from 19 countries. A maximum number of authors were affiliated with universities in the United States. The most common keyword used was "nasoalveolar molding (n = 24)", "cleft palate (n = 16)", and "infant orthopedics (n = 16)". The study design of the majority of articles was retrospective and follow-up studies (level 3; n = 53). A weak negative correlation was observed between citation metrics and both the publication year (P < 0.01) and the level of evidence (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSION

This analysis recognises the contributions of experts and offers valuable insights into trends that have shaped the development and evidence related to PSIO research. Future research should focus on integrating advanced technologies, conducting longitudinal studies, fostering collaboration, and emphasizing patient-centred outcomes.

Using an Active Screwed Nasoalveolar Molding Device for Defect Rehabilitation in Patients With Bilateral Cleft Lip and Palate

The present case series aimed to assess non-surgical elongation of the columella and reduction of cleft gaps in patients with bilateral cleft lip and palate using the active nasoalveolar molding (ANAM) device and tissue expansion principles. The study included six complete bilateral cleft patients aged one month: three males and three females. A nasoalveolar molding technique was applied using an active device (ANAM) with a 3D screw, worn by infants for two months. The activation protocol for screw closure is approximately 0.25 mm (quarter turn) on alternating days, resulting in almost 1 mm per week and 4 mm per month and reaching 8 mm after eight weeks. Evaluation involved measuring lip defect sizes and the nostril gap, columellar length and rotation of premaxilla before and two months after the ANAM period before surgical repair. The results show that the anterior rotation of the premaxilla and the lip and nostril gaps were significantly reduced (p < 0.05), with maximum reduction in the anterior rotation of the premaxilla (mean difference ± SD was 4.22 ± 0.4). Simultaneously, the columellar height was significantly increased with a mean difference ± SD of 2.0 ± 0.4 (p < 0.001). The current case series demonstrated that the ANAM device is a safe and effective technique for decreasing the lip and nostril gaps, repositioning the protruded premaxilla, and elevating the depressed columella. No side effects were recorded in current cases.

An overview of nasal cartilage bioprinting: from bench to bedside

Nasal cartilage diseases and injuries are known as significant challenges in reconstructive medicine, affecting a substantial number of individuals worldwide. In recent years, the advent of three-dimensional (3D) bioprinting has emerged as a promising approach for nasal cartilage reconstruction, offering potential breakthroughs in the field of regenerative medicine. This paper provides an overview of the methods and challenges associated with 3D bioprinting technologies in the procedure of reconstructing nasal cartilage tissue. The process of 3D bioprinting entails generating a digital 3D model using biomedical imaging techniques and computer-aided design to integrate both internal and external scaffold features. Then, bioinks which consist of biomaterials, cell types, and bioactive chemicals, are applied to facilitate the precise layer-by-layer bioprinting of tissue-engineered scaffolds. After undergoing in vitro and in vivo experiments, this process results in the development of the physiologically functional integrity of the tissue. The advantages of 3D bioprinting encompass the ability to customize scaffold design, enabling the precise incorporation of pore shape, size, and porosity, as well as the utilization of patient-specific cells to enhance compatibility. However, various challenges should be considered, including the optimization of biomaterials, ensuring adequate cell viability and differentiation, achieving seamless integration with the host tissue, and navigating regulatory attention. Although numerous studies have demonstrated the potential of 3D bioprinting in the rebuilding of such soft tissues, this paper covers various aspects of the bioprinted tissues to provide insights for the future development of repair techniques appropriate for clinical use.

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.