Presurgical Nasoalveolar Molding Therapy Using Figueroa's NAM Technique in Unilateral Cleft Lip and Palate Patients: A Preliminary Study.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of the study was to evaluate the results of nasoalveolar molding (NAM) in the treatment of patients with unilateral cleft lip and palate using a modified technique in a South Indian population.

STUDY DESIGN: The design was a prospective study with blinded measurements. The sample constituted 10 complete unilateral cleft lip and palate (UCLP) patients who underwent NAM therapy by the same operator. Direct extra and intra oral anthropometric measurements were done using a digital vernier caliper before and after NAM therapy. A photographic evaluation was also done to rate the nasal deformity post NAM therapy. The differences between measurements were statistically analyzed using paired t tests.

RESULTS: The extra oral measurements revealed a statistically significant increase in bi-alar width, columellar length and width. The intraoral measurements demonstrated a statistically significant reduction in anterior alveolar cleft width. There was also a significant increase in arch width and greater and lesser segments length. All cases were rated as improved by the surgeons in photographic analysis.

CONCLUSION: The study has quantitatively shown that the modified NAM therapy improved nasal asymmetry by columellar lengthening and effectively molded the maxillary alveolar arch.