Born With a Rare Facial Cleft, Little Violet Underwent a Nine-Hour Surgery to Reconstruct Her Face

When Violet entered the world, she was born with an extremely rare craniofacial condition known as a Tessier cleft. The condition affected the formation of her facial bones, creating a complex medical challenge that would eventually lead her family hundreds of miles from their home in rural Oregon.

In October 2014, Violet traveled with her parents to Boston Children’s Hospital for a life-changing operation. A specialized surgical team would spend nine hours reconstructing her face and closing the gap in her facial bones.

But the most remarkable part of Violet’s story is not simply what happened inside the operating room. It is the joyful childhood that followed.

Born With an Extremely Rare Craniofacial Condition

Violet was born with a Tessier cleft, an uncommon congenital condition involving abnormal separation or incomplete development of structures in the face and skull.

Unlike more familiar forms of cleft lip and palate, complex Tessier clefts can involve deeper facial structures and require highly specialized reconstructive treatment.

For Violet’s parents, navigating her condition meant finding medical professionals with the experience needed to address her particular anatomy.

Her family eventually sought treatment at Boston Children’s Hospital, where specialists in plastic surgery and neurosurgery worked together to plan her care.

Nine Hours Inside the Operating Room

In October 2014, Violet underwent a major reconstructive procedure led by Dr. John Meara and Dr. Mark Proctor.

The operation involved closing the gap in her facial bones and reshaping the affected structures of her face.

After approximately nine hours in surgery, the medical team successfully completed the procedure.

For Violet and her family, the operation represented an important milestone in a much longer medical journey.

Although additional surgery could still be necessary as she grew, the reconstruction provided an opportunity for Violet to continue developing and enjoying childhood.

Growing Up Alongside Her Twin Sister

Five years after her operation, Violet was enjoying life as an energetic six-year-old.

According to an update published by Boston Children’s Hospital in November 2019, she had started first grade alongside her twin sister, Cora.

Both girls were progressing well with reading and writing and shared a love of outdoor activities.

Whether camping, crafting, visiting the beach or riding horses, Violet enjoyed spending time with her sister and the rest of their family.

As the youngest two children in a family of six siblings, Violet and Cora brought plenty of laughter and energy into their household.

A Little Girl Whose Smile Wins Hearts

Violet’s mother, Alicia, acknowledged that some people were initially unsure how to react to her daughter’s facial differences.

However, Violet’s cheerful personality often helped others see beyond her appearance.

Living in a small community also meant that many people had come to know Violet and regularly asked about her.

Although the family occasionally encountered unkind comments, Alicia hoped that greater familiarity with her daughter would encourage people to appreciate her personality rather than focus on her physical differences.

For those closest to Violet, her enthusiasm, humor and confidence were among the qualities that made her special.

Five Years Later, Violet Was Blossoming

By the time Boston Children’s shared its 2019 update, Violet was attending school, enjoying activities with her siblings and embracing everyday childhood experiences.

Her medical journey was not necessarily over. Doctors expected that she would eventually require further surgery as she continued growing.

Nevertheless, her progress illustrated how specialized medical care and family support could help a child with a complex congenital condition thrive.

Violet’s story is about much more than a nine-hour operation. It is about a little girl whose facial difference is only one part of who she is, and whose joyful spirit continues to shine through every new chapter of her life.

Source: Boston Children’s Hospital, “Violet Is Blossoming Five Years After Tessier Cleft Surgery,” published November 12, 2019.