Craniofacial surgery is a subspecialty of maxillofacial surgery that deals with congenital and
acquired deformities of the skull, face, jaw bone and associated structures. There are
estimated to be over 500 syndromes with craniofacial anomalies. Most are morphologic,
affecting the form and function of the head and face. These defects are typically treated by
craniofacial surgeons, including craniosynostosis (isolated and syndromic), rare craniofacial
clefts, cleft lip and palate, micrognathia, hemifacial microsomia, Treacher Collins
Syndrome, Apert’s Syndrome, Crouzon’s Syndrome, hemifacial microsomia and many
others.
Craniosynostosis refers to the early closing of one or more sutures of an infant’s head. It is a
congenital disorder marked by premature fusion of one or more cranial sutures, resulting in
abnormal cranial growth. The skull is normally composed of bones which are separated by
sutures. As an infant’s brain grows, open sutures allow the skull to expand and develop a
relatively normal head shape. If one or more of the sutures has closed early, it causes the
skull to expand in the direction of the open sutures. This can result in an abnormal head
shape. In severe cases, this condition can also cause increased pressure on the growing
brain.
Treatment in infancy is directed at correction of the suture fusion and resultant misshapen
head. Surgical treatment of the mid-face deformity is usually done during the pre-school
period (age 4-6 yrs). Conventional surgical advancement of the mid-face requires numerous
cuts of the facial bones and advancing the mid-face region to a predetermined level. This
usually requires bone grafts. Plates and screws are used to stabilise the new position. Our
specialists are using the Osteogenic Distraction technique that provides more stable
correction. Craniofacial syndrome, or craniosynostosis, is a complex condition that can
severely affect a child’s growth. If not treated at the proper time, it generally causes
permanent disability. However, with advanced surgical techniques, treating such complex
conditions with minimal morbidity has become possible.
To obtain further details regarding the procedure as well as post-procedural care, please do
not hesitate to get in touch with our team.
Craniofacial surgery is a subspecialty of maxillofacial surgery that deals with congenital and acquired deformities of the skull, face, jaw bone and associated structures. There are estimated to be over 500 syndromes with craniofacial anomalies. Most are morphologic, affecting the form and function of the head and face. These defects are typically treated by craniofacial surgeons, including craniosynostosis (isolated and syndromic), rare craniofacial clefts, cleft lip and palate, micrognathia, hemifacial microsomia, Treacher Collins Syndrome, Apert’s Syndrome, Crouzon’s Syndrome, hemifacial microsomia and many others.
Craniosynostosis refers to the early closing of one or more sutures of an infant’s head. It is a congenital disorder marked by premature fusion of one or more cranial sutures, resulting in abnormal cranial growth. The skull is normally composed of bones which are separated by sutures. As an infant’s brain grows, open sutures allow the skull to expand and develop a relatively normal head shape. If one or more of the sutures has closed early, it causes the skull to expand in the direction of the open sutures. This can result in an abnormal head shape. In severe cases, this condition can also cause increased pressure on the growing brain. Approximately one in 2500 infants are affected by this disorder.
Treatment
Treatment in infancy is directed at correction of the suture fusion and resultant misshapen head. Surgical treatment of the mid-face deformity is usually done during the pre-school period (age 4-6 yrs). Conventional surgical advancement of the mid-face requires numerous cuts of the facial bones and advancing the mid-face region to a predetermined level.
This usually requires bone grafts. Plates and screws are used to stabilise the new position. Our specialists are using the Osteogenic Distraction technique that provides more stable correction. Craniofacial syndrome, or craniosynostosis, is a complex condition that can severely affect a child’s growth. If not treated at the proper time, it generally causes permanent disability. However, with advanced surgical techniques, treating such complex conditions with minimal morbidity has become possible.
This usually requires bone grafts. Plates and screws are used to stabilise the new position. Our specialists are using the Osteogenic Distraction technique that provides more stable correction. Craniofacial syndrome, or craniosynostosis, is a complex condition that can severely affect a child’s growth. If not treated at the proper time, it generally causes permanent disability. However, with advanced surgical techniques, treating such complex conditions with minimal morbidity has become possible.