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Published on: September 8, 2023
Tessier Craniofacial Clefts
Colton Fernstrum1, Ashlie Elver1, Ian Hoppe1
1Division of Plastic Surgery, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, MS, USA.
Abstract:
Craniofacial clefts are extremely rare. In 1976, Paul Tessier developed a comprehensive numerical classification system to categorize craniofacial clefts based on precise anatomic location. In order to comprehend craniofacial cleft development, it is crucial to understand embryologic development of the face. Craniofacial clefts can be classified into 4 main categories: oral-nasal (number 0-3), oral-ocular (number 4-6), lateral face (number 7-9), and cranial (number 10-14). Treatment goals include restoring oral competence and function, achieving nasal symmetry, establishing separation of anatomically distinct cavities, addressing orbital asymmetries, hypotelorism, or hypertelorism, and reconstructing cranial defects caused from encephaloceles.
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