# Pre-surgical Nasal Molding of a Two-Day-Old Neonate With Complete Unilateral Cleft Lip and Palate Using Passive Nasoalveolar Molding Technique: A Case Report

## TL;DR

A two-day-old baby with a cleft lip and palate underwent pre-surgery nasal molding to improve outcomes and reduce future costs.

## Contribution

This case report demonstrates the effectiveness of passive nasoalveolar molding in early cleft management.

## Key findings

- Pre-surgical passive nasoalveolar molding improved upper lip, alveolus, and nose shape in a two-day-old neonate.
- Early non-invasive intervention reduced deformity severity before surgery, lowering costs and secondary revisions.
- The approach offers psychosocial benefits to families and better surgical outcomes.

## Abstract

The occurrence of congenital deformities like cleft lip and palate is not uncommon and is often a traumatizing experience for families. The entire rehabilitation process includes frequent hospital visits and the brunt of numerous procedures. Early intervention with pre-surgical infant orthopedics facilitates better surgical outcomes and additional psychosocial benefits to the infant's family. The present clinical report addresses the pre-surgical management of a non-syndromic two-day-old female baby whose parents presented with the chief complaint of deformed lips, nose, and difficulty while feeding. The neonate had a complete left-sided cleft lip, alveolus, and cleft palate on examination. Early management with pre-surgical passive nasoalveolar molding (PNAM) has favorable outcomes, including desired upper lip, alveolus, and nose shape. Non-invasive pre-surgical intervention with PNAM reduces the severity of the deformities before the primary surgical repair, thus decreasing the overall cost of cleft care and the number of secondary revisions, thus increasing the probability of favorable outcomes.