Craniofacial
Overview
Craniofacial surgery focuses on the correction of deformities of the bones of the skull and face. Less than 30 years ago medicine offered little hope to patients with severe craniofacial deformities.
Today, craniofacial surgery, undertaken by highly experienced teams, has profoundly changed the outlook for these patients and their families. That which was deemed impossible in the past is now a reality through advancements in medical technology and the skill of multidisciplinary professionals.
Safety features and warnings abound but facial trauma remains in today’s society of high speed transports, extreme sports, in the workplace, or even at home.The scope of injuries which can occur to the craniofacial skeleton and its overlying soft tissue are endless. Damage can be as subtle as a mild abrasion or as devastating as a third degree burn or open facial fracture. Obviously, the mode of evaluation and resultant treatment plan is completely dependent upon the presenting problem. With the craniofacial approach to skeletal injuries of the face and jaws, primary good repair can be expected in cases where they are treated at centers of excellence dedicated to this treatment of massive or major trauma.
However, in spite of this, many secondary cases do continue to exist where they have had inadequate or poor treatment and need further care to affect excellence in results. Many times the patient presents with a variety of problems of distorted facial structures as residual of the injury. This could be enopthalmus (sunken eye) or displaced cheekbone, a deformed forehead or head, or disorted jaw. All of these deformities can be improved functionally, anatomically, and aesthetically with secondary craniofacial reconstruction.
Traumatic deformities of the craniofacial region may include other modalities such as burns resulting in secondary deformities, or injuries to overlying soft tissues. Today these can be reconstructed with sophisticated techniques of reconstruction of both soft and hard tissue. Even complex nerve reconstructions are now available to re-animate the injured face. Burns can be grafted and scar contractures can be released. Microvascular transfer of large hard and soft tissue allows for the complete reconstruction of absent facial structures. Advanced craniofacial techniques, using skin, cartilage or bone grafts, combined with new plating and wiring systems, all offer a modern day approach to reconstructive surgery and effectively reconstruct the most complex of facial fractures.
