Midline clefts of the lower lip, tongue, and mandible are a rare type of facial cleft classified as “Tessier 30.” We present the case of a female patient with an isolated Tessier 30 facial cleft affecting the tongue, lower lip, and mandibular symphysis with ankyloglossia. This was reconstructed with a template-guided resorbable “U”-shaped plate at 10 months of age. The procedure was carried out in one stage, which avoided the need for a repeat general anesthetic for the patient. We had a successful outcome with normal dental eruption and we believe such an approach could be considered as a relevant treatment modality for future cases.

Introduction: Tessier 30 facial cleft is a rare anomaly presenting in the soft and hard tissues over the central lower face. Owing to the rarity of cases and difficulty of treatment, there is no universally accepted surgical management strategy. The last comprehensive literature review of Tessier 30 clefts was in 1996. This report aims to update the literature to inform decision-making on treating Tessier 30 cases. Methodology: A literature search was performed. PubMed, SCOPUS, and OVID databases were searched. A total of 72 cases in 51 articles were analyzed, looking at demographics, extent of cleft, parent health, family history, procedures, follow-up, existence of other anomalies, and stages of repair. Results: Surgeons are increasingly choosing to repair Tessier 30 defects in one rather than multiple stages. Of the 72 cases studied, only 31 had documented the completed repair of the cleft. All completed soft tissue only defects were repaired in 1 stage of repair (n = 11). Where both soft tissue and mandible was involved (n = 20), 55% (n = 11) had undergone 1-stage repair to address the Tessier 30 cleft. Discussion: We argue that a single-stage approach is preferable to multistage. Primary mucogingivoperiosteoplasty should be undertaken in children at the time of management of the soft tissue cleft. The timing of this procedure should be in the latter half of the first year of life, as this is when mandibular symphyseal fusion normally occurs. We have suggested a treatment protocol and we hope that future case reports use our minimum data set.

This case involves a 46-year-old female who was referred to the Bristol Dental Hospital Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery department with a non-healing socket. Investigations were carried out and biopsy confirmed diagnosis of granular cell ameloblastoma. She was subsequently treated with a segmental resection and a bone graft to reconstruct the defect of her mandible. CPD/Clinical Relevance: This report highlights the significance of taking a full history and carrying out a thorough clinical examination to ensure significant diagnoses are not missed.