Clinical Correction of Complete Median Cleft of the Mandible and Lower Lip: A 17-Year Follow-Up of a Case Report With Literature Review

The median cleft of the mandible and lower lip is an extremely rare congenital maxillofacial deformity, and the therapeutic options are controversial. To evaluate the clinical characteristics and identify a better choice of treatment modes used among us and others, we reviewed 34 relevant literature and herein describe a 17-year follow-up of a case with a median cleft of the mandible and lower lip. Based on the literature and our case with good functional and aesthetical outcomes, we propose a prospective clinical treatment: Patients of Tessier 30 cleft associated with cleft of the mandible could undergo mandibular repair after puberty in conditions of a good occlusal relationship and normal maxillofacial development, even with mild masticatory dysfunction.