Rare clefts of the face

Abstract

A total of seven rare clefts of the face is presented: two median clefts of the lip, two median clefts of the nose, one transverse, and one oblique facial cleft in combination with a cleft of the lip, alveolus and palate, as well as a malformation of the nose associated with cleft of lip, alveolus and palate. Based on the experience gained in the management of these cases, and reports offered in the literature, an attempt has been made to establish a therapeutic regime. For this purpose, three groups were classified: The first group consisted of median clefts of the upper lip, transverse facial clefts, and clefts of lower lip and tongue, in which a final plastic closure is possible. The second group comprises such clefts in which an early plastic repair is absolutely indicated on account of functional reasons, and in which, however, later corrective surgery may be necessary, for example, in oblique facial clefts. In the third group, in which the nasal clefts belong, repair must be deferred at all costs until facial growth is complete.