[Application of high-density polyethylene implants in adult cleft lip and palate nasal deformity and dysfunction]

Objective: Through the use of high-density polyethylene implants in adults with cleft lip and palate nasal deformities and abnormal functions, to evaluate the clinical effect of postoperative patients on improving nasal shape and symptoms. Methods: A retrospective study of 12 patients with nasal deformities after cleft lip and palate surgery in the Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai JiaoTong University School of Medicine from January 2018 to January 2022 was completed, including 7 males and 5 females, with the age ranging from 18 to 29 years. All the patients underwent nasal deformity correction, and nasal septum correction was performed if necessary. High-density polyethylene implants (MEDPOR/Su-Por) were used intraoperatively. Follow-up for at least 6 months was performed to measure the relevant appearance indicators and subjective Visual Analog Scale (VAS) scores, and to compare the clinical effects before and after surgery. SPSS 22.0 software was used for statistical analysis. Results: Before and after surgery, the average VAS score of nasal obstruction decreased by (4.83±0.94) points; the average VAS score of appearance satisfaction increased by (3.92±1.08) points; the height of nasal columella was increased by (1.79±0.78)mm; the height of nasal tip was increased by (2.79±1.50)mm; the height of ipsilateral nostril was increased by (1.83±0.62)mm; the width of the ipsilateral nasal floor was reduced by (0.42±0.47)mm. All of above were statistically significant (all P<0.05). Conclusion: High-density polyethylene implants can effectively improve the shape and function of the nose in operations related to cleft lip and palate nasal deformity and abnormal functions, and are an ideal synthetic material.