Nose clefts: own experience of treatment with different types of congenital nasal anomalies

Abstract

Background

Nose cleft is a rare congenital malformation. According to the Tessier classification, it can appear as a part of craniofacial cleft numbers 0, 1, 2, or 3. However, it can also be observed as an isolated nose cleft. The aim of this study was to present our experience in the treatment of isolated cleft nasal deformity.

Methods

A retrospective study of all patients with isolated nose cleft treated at our clinic between years 1995 and 2015 was undertaken. The collected data included age, sex, type of cleft, coexisting malformations, and methods of treatment.

Results

Over a period of 20 years, 28 patients with isolated cleft nasal deformity (11 males and 17 females)were treated. In the examined group, there were 21 patients with median nose cleft and seven with cleft of the ala nasi. Patients from the median nose cleft group were operated on in two or three stages. In the first stage, a procedure involving soft tissue and nose cartilage was performed, while in the second phase, rhinoplasty with osteotomy was performed. One patient had his treatment accomplished in three stages. Patients from the ala nasi cleft group underwent procedures performed with methods of local plasty or flap rotation.

Conclusions

Nose clefts are characterized by a variable clinical picture (midline cleft vs ala nasi cleft and total cleft vs partial cleft). The nose cleft is not always a part of craniofacial clefts as isolated forms of such malformations can also occur. This type of congenital anomaly requires always an individual treatment plan.

Level of Evidence: Level IV, therapeutic study.