Congenital midline cervical cleft: a case report

Abstract

Background Midline cervical cleft is a very rare congenital anomaly. According to a literature search, until 2014 only 205 cases were reported. Case presentation We present a classic case of congenital midline cervical cleft. This was a case of a 3-year-old Middle Eastern boy. The lesion was excised and the defect was closed via multiple Z-plasties. Conclusions Midline cervical cleft, although a rarity, when presented needs surgical treatment, which comprises surgical excision and closure that lessens the possibility of scar visibility and contracture.

A delayed diagnosis of congenital midline cervical cleft

“…Delays in CMCC therapy impact the growth of the bottom region of the face, notably mandibular development and neck extension. 3 To enhance the aesthetic look of the neck, CMCC is treated by total excision of the subcutaneous fibrotic band and underlying fibrous scar, followed by lengthening obtained by reconstructive multiple z‐plasty from the neighboring normal skin. 10 Z‐plasty provides surgeons with the advantage of avoiding a straight‐line scar, which might result in retractile fibrous tissue and a bad esthetic outcome.…”

“…Delays in CMCC therapy impact the growth of the bottom region of the face, notably mandibular development and neck extension 3 10 .…”

Midline cervical cleft: a case report

“…If delayed, complications such as contractures and fibrous cords need to be addressed as well. 5 A linear closure gives a higher risk of hypertrophic scar. Hence Zplasty is the accepted procedure being aesthetic and functional.…”

Seltene Erkrankungen der Mundhöhle, des Halses und des Pharynx

“…Up to now, around 200 cases of congenital midline cervical clefts have been described, only few of them are associated with other cleft formations in the body midline 30 . In order to avoid contractures in the neck and from an esthetic point of view, early surgical excision of the malformation with defect closure by means of W or Z plastic is recommended 12 .…”

“…Bislang sind etwas mehr als 200 Fälle angeborener Halsspalten bekannt, von welchen nur wenige mit anderen Spaltbildungen im Bereich der Mittellinie des Körpers vergesellschaftet sind 30 . Mädchen scheinen häufiger davon betroffen zu sein als Jungen 11 .…”