• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.38 no.2
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• pp.143-147
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• 2011

Purpose: A Tessier classification number 7 cleft is an uncommon malformation that results from a failure of mesenchymal fusion within the maxillary and mandibular prominences of the 1st pharyngeal arch. Many operative techniques of the number 7 cleft repair have been proposed to restore function and improve aesthetics. Fifteen patients underwent repair of a number 7 cleft over 13 years by a modification of the surgical Technique, and an appraisal of the operative outcome is reported herein. Methods: A retrospective review was conducted involving 15 patients with number 7 clefts who underwent surgery from 1996 to 2009. The changes in surgical technique included skin closure, attachment of the orbicularis oris muscle, and position of the repaired commissure; the changes were analysed with a review of the medical records and the outcomes of surgery were analysed via photographs. Specifically, the technique of skin closure was changed from the a Z-plasty to a linear closure, the orbicularis oris muscle overlapped attachment was replaced by a side-to-side approximation with horizontal mattress sutures, and the position of the repaired commissure was changed from 1 mm laterally to 1 mm medially in reference to the non-cleft side. Results: A Z-plasty caused additional cutaneous scarring, an overlapped attachment of the orbicularis oris muscle caused a thick oral commissure, and the repaired commissure migrated to the lateral side, so a 1 mm, laterally-positioned commissure caused asymmetry. The altered procedure included a linear skin closure, a side-to-side orbicularis oris muscle approximation, and a 1 mm, medially-positioned commissure, which together resulted in a good outcome. Conclusion: The altered procedure for repair of a number 7 cleft as described herein, yields a short scar, no functional problems with the orbicularis oris muscle, a thin oral commissure, and symmetry of the repaired commissure.

• Archives of Craniofacial Surgery
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• v.20 no.4
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• pp.255-259
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• 2019

Craniofacial cleft is a rare disease, and has multiple variations with a wide spectrum of severity. Among several classification systems of craniofacial clefts, the Tessier classification is the most widely used because of its simplicity and treatment-oriented approach. We report the case of a Tessier number 3 cleft with wide soft tissue and skeletal defect that resulted in direct communication among the orbital, maxillary sinus, nasal, and oral cavities. We performed soft tissue reconstruction using the straight-line advanced release technique that was devised for unilateral cleft lip repair. The extension of the lateral mucosal and medial mucosal flaps, the turn over flap from the outward turning lower eyelid, and wide dissection around the orbicularis oris muscle enabled successful soft tissue reconstruction without complications. Through this case, we have proved that the straight-line advanced release technique can be applied to severe craniofacial cleft repair as well as unilateral cleft lip repair.

• The korean journal of orthodontics
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• v.51 no.6
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• pp.428-434
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• 2021

Craniofacial clefts are extremely rare deformities. Tessier's classification is a widely accepted system that is based on clinical, radiographical, and surgical observations. The Tessier No. 0 cleft most commonly affects the upper lip, nose, and palate. This case presentation aims to report the outcome of a modified presurgical alveolar molding (PAM) appliance used in the treatment of an infant with Tessier No. 0 cleft as an alternate approach to mold such defects before surgery. The modified PAM appliance consisted of reciprocal parts connected by a helix. The segments were approximated by stripping the appliance at the midline in a V-shaped manner and the force was exerted by the extraoral elastics. The procedure gave results in 8 weeks, which may be regarded as a reasonable duration. The anterior cleft gap, which was 13 mm before the treatment, was reduced to 3 mm after the treatment by using modified PAM appliance. On a 21-month follow-up period, oral reshaping was regarded successful due to stability of the improved oral mold.

• Korean Journal of Cleft Lip And Palate
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• v.6 no.2
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• pp.117-130
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• 2003

The prevalence of craniofacial cleft is reported to be 10-34 / 100,000 live birth of human. This case report describes the characteristics of the Tessier classification number 0, 5, 7, and 14 craniofacial cleft patients. Given the rarity and unique nature of the clinical expression of each of the craniofacial clefts, the treatment plans can not be standardized but must be based on the individual assessment of each case.

• Maxillofacial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
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• v.41
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• pp.55.1-55.7
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• 2019

Background: Transverse facial clefts are Tessier's number 7 facial cleft among numbers 1-15 in Tessier's classification of craniofacial malformations, which varies from a simple widening oral commissure to a complete fissure extending towards the external ear. Case presentation: In a patient with a transverse facial cleft, to functionally arrange the orbicularis oris muscle and form the oral commissure naturally, we performed a surgical procedure including orbicularis oris muscle reconstruction and cheiloplasty with Z-plasty. Conclusion: We achieved good results functionally and esthetically by orbicularis oris muscle reconstruction and cheiloplasty with Z-plasty. The surgical modality of our anatomical repair and 3 months follow-up results are presented.