This present study aimed to evaluate the changes of nose and upper lip morphology after using Khon Kaen University forehead-supported presurgical nasoalveolar molding appliance (KKU PNAM) in unilateral cleft lip and palate (UCLP) patients by three dimensional (3D) Stereophotogrammetry. Twelve infants with UCLP were treated with the KKU PNAM. Measurements using 3D facial images were performed at initial visit (T1) and before cheiloplasty (T2). Starting age of treatment was 5 to 60 days and period of treatment was 66 to 132 days. Paired sample t-test was used to compare the differences between pre- and post-therapy measurements. After the KKU PNAM treatment, significant changes were observed in the measurements at T2 compared to T1 (p<0.05). There were significant increases in nostril height on the cleft side, columella length, columella angle and nose protrusion. Alar base deviation and nostril width on the cleft side were significantly reduced. Moreover, the vermillion gap was also significantly decreased. In conclusions, infants with KKU PNAM offered a significant decrease in cleft lip distance and improved nose morphology which possibly could improve the surgical outcomes of primary lip and nasal reconstruction.

Keywords: Unilateral cleft lip and palate, Presurgical nasoalveolar molding, 3D Stereophotogrammetry