A ten-year surgical experience in patients of Tessier No.0 cleft with a bifid nose.

Abstract

Tessier No.0 cleft with a bifid nose is a rare malformation. Reconstruction of the nose is essential for children/adults to correct facial cosmetic defects and contribute to developing patients' mental health. The aim of the study was to present the 10-year clinical results using local flaps or expanded forehead flaps in bifid nose patients. A retrospective review was performed between January of 2010 and August of 2021 in our department. Sex, age at surgery, associated anomalies, and type of operation were reviewed. A total of 33 patients were retained. The median duration of follow-up was 5.5 years. Fourteen patients underwent multi-stage nasal reconstruction using expanded forehead flap with costal cartilage as a framework, and 16 patients were operated with local skin flap with silicone while the other three were operated with local skin flap with costal cartilage. There were six cases (18.18%) of complications in our study. During follow-up, 28 patients (84.85%) had satisfactory outcomes, four patients (12.12%) had partially satisfactory results, and one patient (3.03%) had an unsatisfactory outcome. Using local skin flap with silicone or costal cartilage rhinoplasty and nasal reconstruction using expanded forehead flap with costal cartilage for patients with a bifid nose of Tessier No.0 cleft showed that it was safe and effective, and had satisfying results in the long-term follow-up.