• The korean journal of orthodontics
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• v.29 no.6 s.77
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• pp.649-661
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• 1999

The goals of this study were 1) to present pre-surgical naso-alveolar molding (PNAM) appliance for bilateral cleft lip and palate treatment and 2) to evaluate the effects of the PNAM appliance on the alveolar molding of the premaxilla and the lateral segments. Subjects consisted of 8 bilateral cleft lip and palate infants (7 males and 1 female, mean age at first visit = 61.6 days after birth) who were treated with PNAM appliances in Department of Orthodontics, Seoul National University Dental Hospital. Average alveolar cleft gap between the premaxilla and the lateral segment was $8.09{\pm}5.03mm$ and average duration of alveolar molding treatment was $8.8{\pm}3.1$ weeks. These patients' models were obtained at initial visit (T0) and after alveolar molding (T1). 20 linear and 14 angular variables were measured by using photometry and digital caliper, All statistical analyses were performed by Microsoft Excel 97 program. Paired t-test was used to discriminate the effect of alveolar molding by PNAM appliance. 1. Closure of the alveolar cleft gap in bilateral cleft cases by molding therapy was completed successfully, 2. Alveolar molding inhibited outward growth of lateral segments and produced inward bending of lateral segments. 3. By bending the anterior part of the vomer, the premaxilla could be rotated and moved. posteriorly via alveolar molding. Conclusion This appliance can be applied to bilateral cleft lip and palate infants with satisfactory results before cheiloplasty.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.49 no.4
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• pp.510-516
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• 2022

Background Surgical correction of bilateral cleft lip deformities remains one of the most challenging areas in facial plastic surgery. Many surgical techniques and conservative devices have been offered for the early management of bilateral cleft lip in infants. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of lip adhesion on the lip and nose of patients with bilateral cleft lip. Methods A retrospective review of 13 patients with bilateral cleft lip was performed and compared with age-matched noncleft children. Patients underwent lip adhesion at a mean age of 2.8 months, and cheiloplasty at 6.6 months of age using a modification the Mulliken method. Secondary rhinoplasty was performed at the age of 6 in 13 patients. The surgical results were analyzed using photographic records obtained at the age of 1 and 7 years. Twelve length measurements and one angle measurement were obtained. Results All measurements were not statistically different from those of the noncleft age-matched control group at the age of 1. At 7 years of age, upper lip height and vermilion mucosal height were shorter (p < 0.05) than in the control group. Nasal tip protrusion and the nasolabial angle were greater (p < 0.05) than in the control group. Conclusion Lip adhesion followed by secondary rhinoplasty resulted in an acceptable lip and nasal appearance. Although nasoalveolar molding is now widely used, lip adhesion can be an appropriate alternative if an orthodontist is not available due to geographical or economic constraints.