Nasal deformity associated with cleft lip and palate is already obvious at birth. Primary nasal plasty is often performed at the same time as cheiloplasty. However, the influence of surgical intervention on growing alar cartilage remains unknown. Therefore, minimally invasive techniques should be used to correct nasal deformity. Presurgical orthopedic treatment using an oral molding plate has been employed traditionally for alveolar reconstruction in infants. We describe a female infant with left cleft lip and palate who underwent nonsurgical correction of nasal deformity before cheiloplasty, using a nasal stent attached to a Hotz-type palatal molding plate. This presurgical nasoalveolar molding was successful because immature cartilage in newborn infants is malleable enough to remodel the nasal shape. The nose of the patient maintains a correct form after cheiloplasty.
