Craniofacial Surgery

Craniofacial Surgery Related Terms:
Breast, Congenital Malformations, Cosmetic Surgery, Dimple Creation, Face Procedures, Facial Liposuction, Facial Procedures, Laser Facial Procedures, Maxillofacial Surgeons, Neck Liposuction, Neck Muscle Repair, Plastic Surgery, Playsmaplasy, Scalp Flaps, Scalp Lift, Scalp Reduction, Skin Procedures

Craniofacial surgery could be termed as a sub-specialty of plastic surgery. Craniofacial surgery addresses the congenital as well as acquired deformities of the face, jaws, skull, bone, and skin. Craniofacial surgery might require bone manipulation in many cases but it is not a tissue-specific surgery. Normally, surgery of the eye or the brain is not part of craniofacial surgery. Craniofacial surgery remedies defects like isolated and syndromic craniosynostosis, chronic and acute sequellae of fractures in the face, micrognathia, cleft lip and palate, rare craniofacial clefts, hemifacial microsomia, Apert’s Syndrome, Treacher Collins Syndrome, and Crouzon’s Syndrome.

Craniofacial surgery is conducted by qualified and skilled plastic surgeons, oral and maxillofacial surgeons, and otolaryngologists. Craniofacial surgery aims to restore the functions of the patient to near normalcy and to prevent any future dysfunction. Moreover, craniofacial surgery could be done to correct any structural disfigurement and to improve the appearance to optimal levels. Since patients with craniofacial defects would undergo emotional stress and trauma and face social embarrassment. Craniofacial surgery would lead to normal looks and provide self-confidence, social acceptance, and self-esteem in the patients.

In the latest improvements in craniofacial surgery, calvarial bone grafting had replaced hip and rib grafting. This type of grafting leads to less resorption and minimal pain in donor sites. The three-dimensional CT scan facilities enable the surgeons to analyze even complex deformities for pre-operative planning of the surgery. The rigid skeletal fixation techniques allow the surgeon for obtaining better stability and for eliminating intermaxillary fixation. Particularly in children, the advancements had enhanced the quality of the craniofacial surgery results and had decreased morbidity.

Craniofacial surgery should be followed up with post-operative monitoring and care for several years. Craniofacial surgery in young children could lead to asymmetries as they grow. Hence, the growth of the children should be followed closely for equal development of all the areas of the face. Craniofacial surgery might need to be done in multiple operations conducted in several stages at different ages. The cosmetic procedure should be carefully planned by the surgeon and the entire team of craniofacial surgery.

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