Abnormalities of the face and skull affect one in every 1,500 newborns. The problem can originate from congenital, genetic, sporadic, or developmental issues.
Many such conditions have strange or difficult-to-pronounce names such as coronal, metopic, sagittal, and lambdoidal craniosynostosis; craniofacial dysostosis conditions such as Crouzon, Apert, and Pfeiffer syndromes; Treacher Collins syndrome; and hemifacial microsomia.
Because of their complexity, we will usually treat such problems in several stages.
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What are craniofacial disorders? A cradiofacial disorder is an abnormal development of the facial skeleton.
The possible causes are
* Synostosis of the cranial sutures
This may present an abnormal head shape
* Synostosis of the cranial sutures
This may present an abnormal head shape and development
* Overgrowth of certain bones in the face
This may present an asymmetry of the lower jaw
* Undergrowth of certain bones in the face
This may present an asymmetry of the lower jaw
What are alternative Names for Head and face reconstruction? Craniofacial reconstruction
Orbital-craniofacial surger
Describe the surgery for me? Surgery for head and face deformities (craniofacial reconstruction) depends on the type and severity of deformity, and the condition of the patient.
In some cases, because surgical repairs involve the skull (cranium), brain, nerves, eyes, facial bones, and facial skin, a plastic surgeon (for skin and face) and a neurosurgeon (brain and nerves) work together. Head and neck surgeons may also perform craniofacial reconstruction operations.
The surgery is done while the patient is deep asleep and pain-free (under general anesthesia), and may take from 4 to over 12 hours to complete. Some of the facial bones are cut and repositioned into a more normal facial structure.
Pieces of bone (bone grafts) may be taken from the pelvis, ribs, or skull to fill in the spaces where bones of the face and head have been moved. Small metal screws and plates may be used to hold the bones in place. The jaws may be wired together to hold the new bone positions in place.
If the surgery is expected to cause much swelling of the face, mouth, or neck, the airway can become blocked. If this is anticipated, the patient may have what is called a tracheotomy placed, in which a small hole is made in the neck through which a tube (endotracheal tube) is placed in the airway (trachea).
This allows the patient to breath despite severe swelling of the face and upper airway that occurs after some operations and may persist for weeks.