Infant Orthopedics Research Articles

Psychosocial Maternal Perception of the Outcome of Pre Surgical Infant Orthopedics in Infants Born with Cleft Lip and Palate.

The setback of having a child with cleft lip and palate deeply affects the parents psychology. The Pre Surgical Infant Orthopaedics(PSIO) is a promising procedure for improvement in facial morphology prior to primary lip repair. The current study examines the perception of effects of PSIO procedures on the facial appearance of newborns with cleft lip/palate by their mothers and finds its correlation if any, with the change in psychosocial status of the mothers. The mothers of 50 infants(0-6 months) born with cleft lip/palate rated the nasal morphology, extent of cleft defect and overall facial morphology on a Likert's scale before and after PSIO procedure. This was correlated with changes in mother's depression, anxiety and stress levels by using the validated Hindi-version of Depression Anxiety and Stress scale(DASS-42) index before and after PSIO. The mothers reported a significant improvement in all the morphological parameters for their infants with PSIO which correlated well with significant reduction in the DASS scores from 22.54(severe) to 7.10(normal) for depression, 20.64(extremely severe) to 6.46(normal) for anxiety and 24.7(severe) to 8.4(normal) for stress. The changes in facial morphology by PSIO procedures are well perceived by mothers and significantly improves their depression, anxiety and stress levels.

Effect of Nasoalveolar Molding in Infants with Cleft Lip & Palate

In the 19 th century McNeil (prosthodontist) used an oral prosthesis to approximate the cleft alveolar segments and thus initiating the concept of modern presurgical infant orthopedics. More recently (1994) Barry Grayson developed a new technique that not only it approximates the alveolar segments, but it also reshapes the nose in order to perform primary nose surgery, this technique is called Nasoalveolar molding (NAM). Patients with nonsyndromic complete unilateral cleft lip and palate. Nasoalveolar molding was performed for each patient and treatment time took 8-12 weeks. A serial of standard basilar view 1:1 photographs were taken for each patient. Each patient was photographed at the initial visit and after the nasoalveolar molding. Digital caliper was used to measure the cleft size on the study model at the initial visit and after nasoalveolar molding. Patients expressed good improvement. The cleft size was reduced significantly. Improved both the columella deviation and length as well as the nostril width and height in the cleft side. NAM is an effective procedure in reducing the alveolar cleft size and it also improves the nasal architecture. This will facilitate the work of the plastic surgeon during the lip adhesion and primary nose surgery and consequently with better aesthetic outcome.

English

BACKGROUND Cleft individuals have a significant altered growth of the craniofacial structures since birth. The treatments available for infants are mostly associated with controversies regarding timing of initiation, types & timing in surgery, grafting etc. Maxilla is affected in all three dimensions; due to surgery alone or in conjugation with the infant orthopaedics, intrinsic growth retardation or combination of all. Considering the current conflict over the use of pre-surgical nasoalveolar molding (PNAM) and to evaluate the efficacy of PNAM technique, this postdoctoral research was done to compare the maxillary palatal volume in unilateral cleft lip and palate (UCLP) cases treated with and without PNAM as compared to non-cleft individuals. METHODS This is an observational cross-sectional study. The palate alveolar volume was assessed and analysed using 3D-DVT angiography machine. RESULTS There was significant difference between cleft group and non-cleft individuals. The cases treated with PNAM had lesser palatal volume. CONCLUSIONS Restrictive effect on maxilla was evident in PNAM cases, but this altered growth could also be an amalgamation of numerous factors like surgery, infant orthopaedics, and intrinsic growth. Therefore, judicious use, current concepts, and biomechanics of PNAM is the need of an hour. KEY WORDS Maxillary Palatal Volume, Unilateral Cleft Cases, Presurgical Naso-Alveolar Molding, 3D-DVT

Successful Management of Cleft Lip and Palate Malformation without Pre-Surgical Infant Orthopedics.

To investigate the effect of lip closure on reduction of cleft palates when no pre-surgical infant orthopedics (PSIO) are used. Retrospective patient chart-review in our department for Cranio-Maxillofacial Surgery at the University Medical Centre Freiburg, Germany. 19 patients at the age of 5.9 ± 2.1 months with surgical treatment of uni- (UCLP), or bilateral cleft lip and palate (BCLP) without any use of PSIO were included. Early soft tissue correction of the lip leads to an effective reduction of the maxillary arch without any use of PSIO. The presented conventional and digital measurements appeared to be reliable. A successful reduction of the cleft width (UCLP = 3.88 ± 2.42mm, BCLP = 7.33 ± 5.00mm), the width of the alveolar arch (1.91 ± 1.36mm) and the sagittal depth of the alveolar arch (3.07 ± 2.71 mm) could be achieved with the presented workflow. Cleft reduction was obtainable without PSIO when lip closure after Tennison-Randall was performed.

Alveolar bone grafting and gingivoperiosteoplasty in bilateral cleft lip and palate.

Gingivoperiosteoplasty (GPP) and alveolar bone grafting (ABG) procedures have a vast history. There have been many publications regarding ABG and secondary ABG, with and without presurgical infant orthopedics (PSIO), in bilateral cleft lip and palate patients. There is little long-term data available describing results of both techniques. The interdisciplinary approach to primary and secondary surgical procedures has proven to be beneficial for patients with bilateral cleft lip and palate. In the neonates, naso-alveolar molding (NAM) has been found to optimize the aesthetic outcome as well as re-approximating the arches to facilitate GPP. During the mixed dentition stage, arch preparation/expansion before the secondary ABG procedure improves arch morphology, restores the functional interarch relationship, and facilitates surgery. This review aims to highlight the key points of both the procedures and why combining both procedures along with PSIO procedures such as NAM might be helpful for the patients in the long term.

Does Infant Orthopedics and Neonate Lip Surgery Influence the Occlusal Relationship in Patients With Unilateral Cleft Lip and Palate (UCLP)?

To compare occlusal relationship in patients undergoing neonate versus conventional lip surgery (LS) with and without infant orthopedics (IO) by assessment of dental arch relationship in individuals with complete unilateral cleft lip and palate. Three groups treated by different protocols; Group I: neonate LS (1-15 days) + IO and palatoplasty (13-31 months); Group II: LS (3-12 months) + IO and palatoplasty (15-35 months); and Group III: LS (3-6 months) without IO and palatoplasty (12-18 months). The 112 intraoral photographs of individuals of all groups, obtained between 6 and 12 years of age, were assessed by the occlusal index for intraoral photograph rating. The groups were compared by the χ2 test. The correlation between surgical timing and the scores was tested by the Spearman test (P < .05). Group I presented the highest percentage of score 5, group II exhibited highest percentage of score 1, and group III presented the lowest percentage of score 5 according to the χ2 test (P = .029). The Spearman correlation test revealed statistically significant difference between timing of LS and the occlusal index. The earlier the surgical timing, the higher the occlusal index (P = .019). Infant orthopedics has demonstrated the possibility of postponing primary plastic surgeries. Patients submitted to late lip and palate repair had the best prognosis, while patients undergoing lip repair from 1 to 15 days of life, even operating the palate later, had the worst prognosis. Neonate LS negatively influenced the occlusal relationships.

Time-Driven, Activity-Based Costing of Presurgical Infant Orthopedics: A Critical Component of Establishing Value of Latham Appliance and Nasoalveolar Molding

Time-Driven, Activity-Based Costing of Presurgical Infant Orthopedics: A Critical Component of Establishing Value of Latham Appliance and Nasoalveolar Molding

Comparative Study of Presurgical Infant Orthopedics by Modified Grayson Method and Dynacleft With Nasal Elevators in Patients With Unilateral Cleft Lip and Palate—A Clinical Prospective Study

To compare the effects of presurgical infant orthopedics using 2 different methods, that is, the Dynacleft with Nasal elevator system versus the modified Grayson's technique in patients with complete unilateral cleft lip and palate. Prospective comparative cohort study. Twenty-eight patients were divided into 2 groups, that is, Group A consisting of 14 patients who underwent correction with DynaCleft with Nasal elevator system and Group B consisting of 14 patients undergoing correction using the modified Grayson technique. Maxillary cast measurements were taken at 2-time intervals (pre- and posttreatment) to assess various parameters using a laser scanning machine (C500 Solutionix) and 3D software (GOM Inspect). Similarly, standardized anterior-posterior and worm's-eye view photographs using a custom box were taken and imported to Adobe Photoshop CS6 for measurements. Paired t test and independent t test were used to compare intra- and intergroup changes, respectively. The analysis of cast (primary outcome) and photographic (secondary outcome) measurements showed improved nasal asymmetry and alveolar correction in both groups which showed no significant intergroup difference when assessed using the independent t test (P > .05). Group A showed higher chances (42.8%) of causing a T-shaped defect (due to excessive mesial-inward rotation of the minor segment) when compared to the Group B possibly due to a more controlled molding vector (P < .05). Both methods proved effective in improving the nasal asymmetry, reducing the alveolar cleft gap, and approximating the lips together; but care must be taken when applying the alveolar molding vector in the Dynacleft system.

Dynamic changes in nasal symmetry after presurgical nasoalveolar molding in infants with complete unilateral cleft lip and palate.

Background:Presurgical nasoalveolar molding (PNAM) technique gave a new perspective to presurgical infant orthopedics. Nasal reconstruction presents a challenge for the plastic surgeons in case of patients with unilateral cleft lip and palate (UCLP). PNAM facilitates the reshaping of the nasal cartilage and molding of maxillary arch preoperatively. This therapy not only aids the surgical repair of lip but also enhances the overall postsurgical results with negligible postoperative scar.Aim:The aim of the study was to analyze nasal changes before and after PNAM in patients with complete UCLP.Materials and Methods:This was a retrospective review of 22 ULCP patients who underwent PNAM before lip surgeries. A series of standard basilar view photographs in 1:1 ratio were taken, and linear measurements were done directly on the photographs.Results:After PNAM therapy, there was highly significant increase in the nostril height, nostril dome height, and columella length (P < 0.001*) and highly significant reduction in the nostril width and nasal basal width (P < 0.001*).Conclusion:Significant improvement in the nasal symmetry was found after PNAM therapy in patients with complete UCLP.

Midface Growth in Patients With Unilateral Cleft Lip and Palate Treated With a Nasoalveolar Molding Protocol.

This retrospective cohort study aimed to determine the impact of a nasoalveolar molding (NAM) protocol on midface growth in school-aged children with non-syndromic unilateral cleft lip and palate (UCLP). Data from 56 consecutively treated, NAM-prepared, Caucasian patients with non-syndromic UCLP from a single US cleft palate center were compared to pooled center data based on 56 patients with non-syndromic UCLP treated at 2 Eurocleft centers that did not use presurgical infant orthopedics (non-PSIO). Lateral cephalograms were obtained and 28 landmarks were identified. Published cephalometric measurements from Eurocleft centers were used for comparison. Seven cephalometric measurements (SNA, SNB, ANB, A'N'B', G'-Sn'-Pg', Sn-CT-LS, ANS-Me/N-Me%), available or derivable for both centers, were analyzed. Means and standard deviations for the 7 measurements were calculated for the NAM center. Student's t-tests were used to compare group means for 6 of the measures and a test of proportion was used for ANS-Me/N-Me%. No significant differences were found between the NAM protocol-prepared group and the Eurocleft non-PSIO centers on any of the 7 analyzed cephalometric relationships after accounting for false discovery rate. The NAM treatment protocol does not appear to impact skeletal or soft tissue facial growth in school-aged children with non-syndromic UCLP.

Effect of nasoalveolar molding therapy on the presurgical correction of maxillary arch and nasal deformity in unilateral cleft lip and palate

Introduction: The surgeons face challenges to restore and align the nasolabial and alveolar structures to the normal state making primary closure of the lip for unilateral cleft lip and palate (UCLP) very difficult. Nasoalveolar molding (NAM) represents a paradigm shift from the traditional methods of presurgical infant orthopedics (PSIO).Objective: To study the outcomes of NAM therapy for the correction of maxillary arch alignment, decreasing the cleft gap severity and improving the nasal esthetics.Material and methods: 12 UCLP infants (age < 1month) were presented for NAM therapy prior to surgical intervention. NAM appliance was constructed as two connected parts; intraoral plate for alveolar molding and nasal stent for nasal molding. Incremental addition and reduction to the appliance were performed to realign the deformed nasoalveolar structure. Measurements of intraoral and nasal casts were made, and statistical analyses were performed to compare the between pre and post NAM measurements.Results: After NAM therapy there was a statistical significant decrease in intersegment distance, midline deviation, alar width. There was also a statistical significant increase in columellar length and angle.Conclusion: By the selective realignment of UCLP nasoalveolar deformity, NAM therapy can achieve a foundation for more esthetic repair under minimal tension.

Treatment of Bilateral Complete Cleft Lip and Palate with Latham Appliance: A Case Report

Cleft lip and palate is one of the most common craniofacial deformities that have physical and psychological influences on patients’ lives. In 1950, the concept of presurgical infant orthopedics (PSIO) was introduced because surgery alone can be aggressive and less controlled treatment in patients with wide cleft or severely protruded premaxilla. Latham appliance is a kind of PSIO which can make an active forces for alignment and approximation of alveolar segments. The newborn with bilateral complete cleft lip and palate was referred from the department of Neonatology to the department of Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery (OMFS) for evaluation and further treatment. The Latham appliance was applied 10 weeks after birth and activated for 1 month. After the resting period, the operation of primary lip and nose repair was performed with removal of the Latham appliance at 6 months after birth. Through the activation of the Latham appliance, minimizing the scar tissue and reducing tension was possible, and a successful result in esthetics and function can be made.

Cleft and Craniofacial Team Orthodontic Care in the United States: A Survey of the ACPA.

To better understand the capacity for orthodontic care, service features, and finances among members of the American Cleft Palate-Craniofacial Association (ACPA). Cross-sectional survey. ACPA-approved multidisciplinary cleft teams. Cleft team coordinators. Coordinators were asked to complete the survey working together with their orthodontists. Model for orthodontic care. Coordinators from 82 out of 167 teams certified by ACPA completed the survey (response rate = 49.1%). Most orthodontists were private practice volunteers (48%) followed by university/hospital employed (22.8%). Care was often delivered in community private practice facilities (44.2%) or combination of university and private practice facilities (39.0%). Half of teams reported offering presurgical infant orthopedics (PSIO), with nasoalveolar molding being the most common. Cleft/craniofacial patients typically comprise 25% or less of the orthodontists' practices. The presence of a university/hospital-based orthodontist was associated with higher rates of offering PSIO (P < .001) and an increased percentage dedication of their practice to cleft/craniofacial care (P < .001). Orthodontic models across ACPA-certified teams are highly varied. The employment of full-time craniofacial orthodontists is less common but is highly correlated with a practice with a high percentage of cleft care and the offering of advanced services such as PSIO. Future work should focus on how to effectively promote such roles for orthodontists to ensure high-level care for cleft/craniofacial patients requiring treatment from infancy through skeletal maturity.

Clinical Outcomes Utilizing a "Modified Latham" Appliance for Presurgical Infant Orthopedics in Patients With Unilateral Complete Cleft Lip and Palate.

Presurgical infant orthopedic manipulation is utilized prior to cleft lip/nasal repair to facilitate a gingivoperiosteoplasty (GPP) and primary nasolabial repairs. The Latham dentomaxillary advancement appliance uses a screw that must be tightened daily to approximate the cleft segments in unilateral complete clefts. Our cleft center has been utilizing a "modified Latham" appliance since 1987, including an orthodontic elastic power chain to close the gap in a shorter amount of time. We performed a retrospective chart review of all patients undergoing treatment at Johns Hopkins All Children's Hospital (JHACH) with a unilateral complete cleft lip and palate between 1987 and 2017. Patients were identified by the International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision code (749.21). The majority of the patients represent the experience of the senior authors (E.R. and R.F.). Two hundred and eighty-one patients with unilateral complete cleft lip/palate were identified. Seventy-five patients were treated with a "modified Latham" appliance prior to their lip repair. The "modified Latham" appliance remained in place on average 20.6 days (range: 4-82), and average hospital stay after placement was 1.18 days. Nearly 96% of patients underwent a successful GPP at the time of nasolabial repair. Modification of the Latham appliance by utilizing an elastic power chain and eliminating the screw allows rapid closure of the alveolar cleft with limited need for adjustments and outpatient visits. Direct approximation of the palatal segments allows successful completion of a GPP in 95.9% of patients with limited dissection.

The Impact of Presurgical Infant Orthopedics on Oronasal Fistula Rates Following Cleft Repair: A Meta-Analysis.

Presurgical infant orthopedics (PSIO) techniques were introduced to improve the outcomes achieved when treating children with complete cleft lip and palate. The effect of PSIO on the incidence of postoperative fistulae has never been reliably demonstrated. We conducted a meta-analysis to assess the effectiveness of PSIO in reducing postoperative fistulas in patients with complete cleft lip and palate. A search of the PubMed and Embase databases was performed to identify relevant articles that included primary palate repairs of patients with unilateral or bilateral complete clefts, reported the incidence of postoperative fistulae, and explicitly stated if PSIO was used. Details including author, number of subjects, use of PSIO, and fistula rate were cataloged. A review of the PubMed database yielded 1135 unique citations, and Embase yielded 507 articles. Review of these yielded 15 studies, comprising 1241 children, which met inclusion criteria. The overall rate of oronasal fistula development was 7.09%. The average fistula rate for studies using PSIO was 5.93% versus 9.71% in the non-PSIO group. This difference was not statistically significant ( P = .34). The use of PSIO prior to cleft lip and palate repair provides multiple benefits related to facial and nasal form and is supported by a body of literature. The effect of PSIO on the incidence of postoperative fistulae has received less attention in the literature. Our meta-analysis of the available literature does not provide evidence to support the premise that the use of PSIO affects the incidence of fistulae after cleft palate repair.

Clinical application of customized presurgical nasoalveolar molding for the treatment of unilateral complete cleft lip and alveolus: case report

Cleft lip and/or palate (CL/P) are the most common craniofacial malformations in humans. The lip, alveolar ridge, palate and nose are areas frequently affected in people with this type of anomaly. Generally, there are also negative psychosocial impacts in children with these malformations. Moreover, a son with CL/P can become an emotional trauma to their parents. Multiple surgeries and other therapies are required for the treatment of most cases. During the first three months of life the surgical treatment of CL/P usually involves infant orthopaedics, such as presurgical nasoalveolar molding (PNAM), primary cleft lip repair and primary rhinoplasty. PNAM is a nonsurgical method, which has been used by many craniofacial centers. However, few reports concerning the customized use of PNAM for the treatment of complete cleft lip and alveolus have been described in the literature. In addition, the treatment success through this method has been a controversial subject. In this paper, we present the case of a newborn with unilateral complete cleft lip and alveolus treated with customized PNAM, based on the experience of the Tamil Nadu Government Dental College and Hospital, Chennai, India.

Effectiveness of Gingivoperiosteoplasty on Alveolar Bone Reconstruction and Facial Growth in Patients With Cleft Lip and Palate: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

The aim of the systematic review is to evaluate the effects of gingivoperiosteoplasty (GPP) on alveolar bone quality and facial growth in patients with cleft lip and palate (CLP). Electronic and manual search was done up to October 2017. Clinical and observational studies that compared GPP to control; patients without GPP evaluated either before or after the age for secondary bone graft (SBG). Studies selection was done by 2 authors independently. Risk ratio and mean difference with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated using random-effects models. Thirteen articles were included in the review. All studies were at high risk of bias. Poorer alveolar bone quality was found in the GPP group compared to the SBG group. The pooled data showed a statistically significant increase in the incidence of Bergland type III in the GPP group compared to SBG (risk ratio: 11.51, 95% CI: 3.39-35.15). As for facial growth, GPP group resulted in a more retruded maxillary position (as indicated by "Sella-Nasion-Subspinale" angle [SNA value]) compared to control group by -1.36 (CI: -4.21 to 1.49) and -1.66 (CI: -2.48 to -0.84) when evaluated at 5 and 10 years, respectively. The protocol for presurgical infant orthopedics used in conjunction with the GPP procedure might have affected the results of the alveolar bone and facial growth outcomes. Definitive conclusions about the effectiveness of GPP cannot be drawn. Very weak evidence indicated that GPP might not be an efficient method for alveolar bone reconstruction for patients with unilateral and bilateral CLP. Gingivoperiosteoplasty surgery could lead to maxillary growth inhibition in patients with CLP.

Primary Premaxillary Ostectomy and Setback: Dealing With the "Fly-away" Premaxilla.

This study aimed to analyze our outcomes of primary premaxillary ostectomy and setback combined with lip adhesion as the first stage in repair of the bilateral cleft lip with fly-away premaxilla. This retrospective study included all patients who required primary premaxillary setback by a single surgeon to achieve successful lip repair between 2011 and 2017 at a tertiary children's hospital. All patients had bilateral cleft lip and complete cleft palate with significant premaxillary protrusion. All patients either had failed presurgical orthodontic manipulation or were thought to be poor candidates because of the rigidity of the premaxilla on clinical examination. Patient data were obtained from review of medical records and photographs. Surgical technique is described. Eleven patients with bilateral cleft lip, all of whom also had complete cleft palate, underwent primary premaxillary setback and lip adhesion at an average age of 8.2 months. The mean follow-up was 1.9 years (range, 139 days to 4.5 years). All patients subsequently completed formal lip repair, of which 10 have undergone palatoplasty. Serial photography documented stable premaxillary position and successful lip repair within the follow-up time frame. No patient had postoperative premaxillary instability or vascular compromise. One patient had dehiscence of the lip adhesion requiring reoperation. Primary premaxillary ostectomy and setback allows for successful staged formal lip repair in patients with bilateral cleft lip and palate who have failed presurgical infant orthopedics. Further research is required regarding longterm follow-up with respect to midfacial growth.

Burden of Care of Various Infant Orthopedic Protocols for Improvement of Nasolabial Esthetics in Patients With CUCLP.

1. To evaluate the orthodontic burden of care of nasoalveolar molding (NAM) and modified McNeil for the treatment of patients with complete unilateral cleft lip and palate (CUCLP). 2. To compare the esthetic outcomes of each with those of centers not utilizing infant orthopedics (IO). Retrospective cohort study. Institutional. Four cohorts with repaired CUCLP (n = 149) from 3 centers. Two cohorts were treated in the same center and had either traditional infant orthopedics (TIO) or NAM and 2 were treated in centers not employing IO. Burden of care data for the IO groups were compared using t tests. Frontal and profile photographs at approximately age 5 were collected for ratings of nasolabial esthetics, using a modification of the Asher-McDade method. Intrarater and interrater reliabilities were determined using weighted κ statistics. Median ratings were compared using a Kruskal-Wallis test. The burden of care of NAM was significantly greater than TIO for both the number of visits (9.9 vs 6.6, [ P < .001]); and treatment duration (127 vs 112 days, [ P < .05]). Significant differences in nasolabial esthetic ratings were noted among the 3 centers. No significant differences were observed in the nasolabial esthetic outcomes between the NAM and TIO groups. 1. NAM required more visits and longer overall duration compared with TIO. 2. The center employing IO showed favorable nasolabial esthetics compared to those not utilizing IO. 3. No significant differences were found in the nasolabial esthetics of patients who have received NAM compared with TIO.

Achievement in Nasal Symmetry after Cheiloplasty in Unilateral Cleft Lip and Palate Infants Treated with Presurgical Nasoalveolar Molding.

Background:The presurgical nasoalveolar molding (PNAM) technique gave a new perspective to presurgical infant orthopedics. Nasal reconstruction presents a challenge for the treating surgeons in case of patients with unilateral cleft lip and palate (UCLP). PNAM facilitates the reshaping of the nasal cartilage and molding of maxillary arch preoperatively.Aims and Objective:The aim and objective of the present retrospective study was to analyze two-dimensional nasal changes before and after PNAM in patients with complete UCLP.Materials and Method:Twenty-two ULCP patients who underwent PNAM before lip surgery were considered in this study. A series of standard basilar view photographs in 1:1 ratio were taken and linear measurements were done digitally.Results:After PNAM therapy, there was a significant increase in nostril height (P = 0.003) and highly significant increase in columella length (P = 0.001). There was also a highly significant decrease in nostril width (P = 0.001) and a significant decrease in nasal basal width (P = 0.02).Conclusion:There was a significant increase in nostril height and columella length and a significant decrease in nostril width and nasal basal width on the cleft side when treated with PNAM therapy in patients with complete UCLP. Hence, this therapy helps in improving the nasal symmetry in such patients and also aids in surgical procedures.