Cleft Palate Craniofac J. 2025 Nov 12:10556656251395572. doi: 10.1177/10556656251395572. Online ahead of print.
ABSTRACT
Craniofacial microsomia (CFM) presents with variable underdevelopment of craniofacial structures. The clinical severity varies widely and may lead to airway compromise and feeding difficulties in neonates. Herein, we describe a rare case of unilateral CFM with a severe Tessier number 7 cleft, complete mandibular agenesis, ear deformities, and extensive intraoral adhesions. Particularly, adhesions between the tongue and oral mucosa induced a deficiency of reconstructable soft tissue, making the release of the adhesion challenging and complicating the timing of surgical intervention. The patient required tracheostomy for respiratory distress and was fed via a nasogastric tube due to severe Tessier number 7 cleft, which caused significant difficulty with oral feeding. Considering the need for oral feeding and the anatomical challenges, surgical intervention was performed on day 70. The procedure involved removal of intraoral adhesions, separation of the oral cavity from the external face to restore functional integrity, and reconstruction of the oral commissure. This allowed initiation of oral feeding and facilitated aesthetic improvement without complications. This case illustrates a severe form of CFM and highlights the importance of timely, growth-adapted interventions to restore essential functions.
PMID:41223119 | DOI:10.1177/10556656251395572
