Abenavoli Fabio Massimo, Persichetti Paolo, Maffia Francesco
Emergenza Sorrisi Onlus, Rome, Italy.
Department of Plastic, Reconstructive and Cosmetic Surgery, Campus Bio-Medico University Hospital, Rome.
J Craniofac Surg. 2025;36(5):e540-e543. doi: 10.1097/SCS.0000000000011195. Epub 2025 Mar 5.
This case report presents the rare association of Tessier number 4 and 5 facial clefts with a palatal cleft in a 4-month-old infant, encountered during a humanitarian mission in Sabou, Burkina Faso. The patient, born with bilateral facial clefts and right anophthalmia, was planned for a 2-step surgical approach. The first surgery addressed the facial clefts, including a modified unilateral cleft lip repair and Z-plasty techniques for the left Tessier number 5 cleft. The second surgery, palatoplasty will be performed in the next mission. Follow-up assessments showed excellent outcomes, including improved facial aesthetics and ocular protection. The etiology of Tessier clefts remains uncertain, with multiple contributing factors such as genetic predisposition, craniofacial embryogenesis, and environmental influences. This case highlights the challenges of managing complex craniofacial deformities in resource-limited settings and underscores the importance of humanitarian missions in providing life-changing care to patients with limited access to specialized treatments.
本病例报告介绍了在布基纳法索萨布的一次人道主义任务中遇到的一名4个月大婴儿，罕见地合并了第4号和第5号泰西埃面部裂隙与腭裂。该患者出生时患有双侧面部裂隙和右侧无眼球症，计划采用两阶段手术方法。第一次手术处理面部裂隙，包括改良的单侧唇裂修复术和针对左侧第5号泰西埃裂隙的Z成形术。第二次手术，即腭裂修复术将在下一次任务中进行。随访评估显示效果极佳，包括面部美观度改善和眼部得到保护。泰西埃裂隙的病因仍不确定，有多种促成因素，如遗传易感性、颅面胚胎发生和环境影响。本病例突出了在资源有限的环境中处理复杂颅面畸形的挑战，并强调了人道主义任务在为难以获得专科治疗的患者提供改变生活的护理方面的重要性。
