The Tessier number 14 facial cleft: a 20 years follow-up

Here we report a case of a Tessier number 14 cleft, the rarest form of craniofacial cleft, and our step-wise approach to its surgical correction. The patient's appearance was analyzed over a 20-year follow-up period. At the fourth and final operation, the interorbital distance was reduced, the maxilla was advanced, rib and costal cartilage were grafted for augmentation of the nasal bone, and a double eyelid fold operation was performed. Although the surgical results were not entirely satisfactory from an esthetic point of view, this step-wise surgical approach has allowed gradual improvement in the patient's facial appearance.