Long-Term Effects of Nasoalveolar Molding in Patients with Complete Unilateral Cleft Lip and Palate

摘要

To investigate the long-term nasolabial esthetic outcome of nasoalveolar molding (NAM) in comparison to traditional infant orthopedics (TIO), and to no IO in the treatment of patients with complete unilateral cleft lip and palate (CUCLP) at a mean age of 11 years 8 months. Three samples were collected with different infant management protocols, namely NAM, TIO, and no IO. Nasolabial esthetics were assessed based on frontal and cleft-side profile photographs using the Q-Sort modification of the Asher-McDade et al. method. Statistical analysis included the Kruskal-Wallis test and a Bonferroni correction. The use of both types of IO yielded significantly better results in vermilion border and nasal form and profile esthetics of the sample treated with TIO were rated more superiorly. Although direct causation cannot be established given the heterogeneity surrounding cleft care, this study suggests reconsidering the proposed benefits associated with IO in the long-term.