ABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION: Reconstruction of the nasal clefts is a challenging task considering the nasal anatomic complexity and their possible association with craniofacial defects. The reconstruction of these defects needs extensive amounts of soft tissue that warrant the use of forehead flaps. Often presence of cranial defects and low hairline compromise the amount of tissue available for reconstruction warrenting tissue expansion. AIM: To evaluate the efficacy of tissue expansion in reconstruction of congenital nasal clefts. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: 9 patients with congenital nasal clefts involving multiple sub units were taken up for nasal reconstruction with expanded forehead flaps. The average amount of expansion needed was 200 ml. The reconstruction was performed in 3 stages. RESULTS: Expanded forehead flaps proved to be best modality for reconstruction providing the skin cover needed for ala, columella and dorsum with minimal scarring at the donor site. CONCLUSION: Expansion of the forehead flap is a viable option for multiple sub unit reconstruction in congenital nasal cleft deformities.
ABSTRACT
Oblique facial clefts are rare congenital anomalies that can present alone or in association with other craniofacial anomalies. A high degree of clefting in the embryo may lead to hyperdontia secondary to dichotomy of the dental lamina. Multiple facial clefts with hyperdontia are clinically challenging and demand comprehensive rehabilitation. This article reports a case of multiple oblique facial clefts of variable severity with multiple supernumerary teeth in a 12-year-old boy. The varied clinical presentation along with the rarity of the occurrence mandate documentation.
