A case of Tessier type II clefting illustrating surgical principles.

This paper illustrates the surgical principles employed in the management of a case of incomplete nasomaxillary dysplasia or Tessier Type 11 Cleft. All pre-operative work-up on this case was performed at The Adelaide Children’s Hospital by members of The South Australian Craniofacial Unit and hospital staff. The surgical treatment was planned and executed by Professor 1. C. van der Meulen who was a keynote speaker at the ‘Workshop On Craniofacial Clefts’ held in May 1986. The audience at the workshop were able to view highlights of the surgical procedure by live ‘microwave television link’ and discussion between audience and operating surgeon was carried out regarding difficult or contentious points of technique. This patient was one of seven cases of craniofacial clefting brought to Adelaide for the craniofacial workshop and one of three operated on by key speakers during the workshop week. It represents one in a series of 38 cases of craniofacial clefting treated by The South Australian Craniofacial Unit since its inception in 1975.