Surgical treatment for incomplete Tessier No.3 craniofacial cleft: report of three cases and review of literature / 中华口腔医学杂志

ABSTRACT

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To primarily assess the surgical technique to correct incomplete Tessier No. 3 craniofacial cleft.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>From 2009 to 2010, 3 male patients with incomplete Tessier No. 3 craniofacial clefts were treated. Preoperative CT examination of each patient was performed and the bony defect was evaluated. In the operation, van der Meulen rotation and advancement flap of the cheek and regional Z-plasty were used and the medial canthal ligament was repositioned.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>One week after the operation, the sutures were removed and the facial incision healed well. The facial scar was not obvious 6 - 10 months after operation. The shape of medial canthal angle was acceptable, and the height of the medial canthal angle and the length of the palpebral fissure of both sides were symmetrical. The clinical results were satisfactory.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>For the incomplete Tessier No. 3 craniofacial cleft, surgical treatment is mainly focused on the deformities of inner canthus and nasal alae. Medial canthal ligament reposition is the key procedure for correction of the medial canthal deformity and surgical results are stable and reliable.</p>