The principle objective of presurgical nasoalveolar molding (NAM) is to reduce the severity of the initial cleft deformity. This enables the surgeon and the patient to enjoy the benefits associated with a repair of a cleft deformity that is of minimal severity. Retraction of the premaxilla, presurgical elongation of the columella, correction of the nasal cartilage deformity, alignment of the cl...

Unilateral cleft lip nasal deformity is characterized by prominent asymmetry resulting from distorted and displaced structures. Primary correction of the nasal deformity at the same time of lip repair has gained popularity, aiming at early restoration of the symmetry by lifting the alar cartilage and lengthening the columella on the cleft side. Postoperative relapse is a frequent finding due to...

After cleft lip repair, many patients suffer from nasolabial fistulas, asymmetrical nasal floor, or an indistinct nostril sill, as well as intraoral wound dehiscence and subsequent scar contracture of surgical wounds leading to vestibular stenosis. For successful primary nasolabial repair of complete cleft deformity of the primary palate, cleft surgeons need special care in reconstructing the s...