Tessier 7 Cleft: Clinical Presentation and Surgical Correction in a Case Report

Tessier 7 cleft, or transverse facial cleft, is a rare congenital anomaly involving lateral facial tissues, often resulting from embryonic disruptions in the first and second branchial arches. It presents varying severities from macrostomia to complete clefts affecting soft tissue and skeletal structures. Surgical management is challenging, requiring a multidisciplinary approach for functional and aesthetic reconstruction. This case report discusses a patient's presentation, surgical intervention, and outcomes. Our case report describes a rare form of Tessier cleft in a one-and-a-half-year-old male child with no syndromic association. This was diagnosed by clinical evaluation, and radiological modalities and managed surgically. Tessier 7 cleft, or transverse facial cleft, is a rare anomaly extending from the mouth to the ear, resulting from abnormal fusion of facial processes during embryonic development. It ranges from mild macrostomia to severe deformities affecting soft tissues and bone. Surgical management aims to restore facial symmetry, function, and aesthetics, often requiring multiple procedures. Challenges include maintaining oral competence and achieving satisfactory cosmetic results. A multidisciplinary approach is essential, involving plastic surgeons, orthodontists, and speech therapists, with long-term follow-up to monitor development and outcomes. Early diagnosis is the key to achieving an acceptable functional and aesthetic outcome in children. Surgical correction should be done at the earliest for oral competency and normal speech development.