Heminasal proboscis, a rare craniofacial cleft

Area of Science:

• Plastic Surgery
• Pediatric Surgery
• Congenital Anomalies

Background:

• Craniofacial clefts represent a spectrum of rare congenital anomalies with diverse anatomical presentations and complex treatment challenges.
• Proboscis, a specific type of craniofacial cleft, involves unilateral nasal duplication, with the duplicated structure attached to the face via a narrow pedicle.

Observation:

• This report focuses on a 3-month-old infant presenting with a left-sided proboscis and a concurrent left lower eyelid coloboma.
• The proboscis was characterized as a rudimentary, tubular structure arising from the medial canthal region.

Findings:

• The infant's proboscis was surgically corrected using local flaps at 3 months of age.
• A subsequent surgical procedure to manage the left lower eyelid coloboma was performed at 10 months of age.

Implications:

• This case highlights the feasibility of early surgical correction for proboscis using local flaps, achieving satisfactory aesthetic and functional outcomes.
• Simultaneous or staged management of associated anomalies like eyelid coloboma is crucial for comprehensive craniofacial reconstruction in infants.
• This successful intervention underscores the importance of tailored surgical approaches for rare craniofacial clefts.