Anterior Nasal Spine Relocation With Cleft Orthognathic Surgery

In unilateral cleft nasal deformity, the skeletal, and cartilaginous framework of nose is deformed. The anterior nasal spine (ANS) is usually displaced to the non-cleft-side. In cleft orthognathic surgery, ANS relocation can help correct the deviated ANS and nasal septum and might lead to an improved esthetic and functional outcome.

Patients with unilateral cleft lip who underwent two-jaw orthognathic surgery between July 2016 and July 2020 were reviewed retrospectively. During conventional two-jaw orthognathic surgery, the ANS was separated from the maxilla. The separated ANS with the attached septum was fixed on the maxillary midline by wiring. Computed tomography scan was used to measure the septal deviation angle and septal deviation from the midline.

The septal deviation from the maxillary midline decreased following surgery (preoperative versus postoperative: 4.6 ± 1.0 mm versus 3.2 ± 1.2 mm; P = 0.016). The coronal septal deviation angle was widened after ANS relocation, although the transverse septal deviation angle remained unchanged (coronal septal deviation angle, preoperative versus postoperative: 146.7 ± 12.6 versus 159.8 ± 7.6; P = 0.01; transverse septal deviation angle, preoperative versus postoperative: 156.5 ± 11.7 versus 162.8 ± 7.7; P = 0.128).

This study suggests that simultaneous ANS relocation with orthognathic surgery is a viable option for cleft-related deformities, considering the resultant caudal septum straightening and stable structural support observed in the long-term.