Schematic Treatment Tree for the Presurgical Nasoalveolar Moulding of Patients with Cleft Lip and Palate.

Abstract

Cleft lip and palate is the most common and unfortunate congenital defect that is debilitating for both the patients and their parents. Such complex condition demands for a precise and judicious management, as its outcome can drastically influence the quality of life of the child. To provide a concise treatment algorithm or tree which might guide the clinicians and make it easier for them to opt for a better treatment option when confronting different severities and types of this defect. The clinical experience at our center alongwith review of current literature is used to propose a decision making treatment tree. For the better aesthetics, function and ease of cosmetic surgery, several presurgical procedures have been introduced including the nasoalveolar moulding (NAM) appliance, adhesive tapes with nasal elevators, Figueroa's appliance, Hotz appliance, etc. The schematic decision-making tree may prove beneficial to the healthcare providers specially pedodontists who frequently come across such situations to choose the best treatment option for their patients.