Anthropometrically-Based Surgical Technique for Tessier 3 Cleft Reconstruction

Area of Science:

• Plastic Surgery
• Craniofacial Surgery
• Pediatric Surgery

Background:

• Craniofacial clefts, including the rare Tessier number 3 cleft, present unique surgical challenges due to their variable expressivity and impact on facial structures.
• Existing literature on cleft lip repair emphasizes anthropometric techniques and subunit repair, yet standardized approaches for complex facial clefts remain underdeveloped.

Purpose of the Study:

• To describe and illustrate a surgical method for correcting incomplete unilateral Tessier 3 clefts.
• To demonstrate the application of anthropometric principles and subunit repair concepts to this specific craniofacial anomaly.

Main Methods:

• The authors detail a surgical technique for incomplete unilateral Tessier 3 cleft correction.
• The method is based on established anthropometric landmarks and subunit repair principles, adapted for this rare cleft type.

Main Results:

• The study presents intraoperative photographs and immediate/long-term postoperative results of the described surgical method.
• Visual documentation includes cases with secondary revisions, showcasing the technique's adaptability and outcomes.

Conclusions:

• The described method offers a reproducible approach to correcting incomplete unilateral Tessier 3 clefts.
• Application of anthropometric principles and subunit repair facilitates consistent outcomes in managing this rare craniofacial condition.