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Craniofacial surgery is designed to correct congenital or trauma-induced
malformations of the facial or skull areas. The famous plastic surgeon, Dr. Paul
Tessier, of Paris, France, is the pioneer in craniofacial surgery. In the
1970's, he opened up new possibilities for the treatment of malformations of the
skull in children. Most craniofacial operations are performed in infancy,
sometimes even before the child is six months old.
Here is a list of
craniofacial defects, which can be treated.
Congenital craniofacial
defects:
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craniosynostosis (premature closure of the cranial
sutures)
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craniofacial syndromes (e.g. Apert-syndrome or
Crouzon-syndrome)
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lip, jaw and palate malformation and harelip
-
facial
asymmetry
-
encephaloceles
-
facial clefts (described by Tessier)
Acquired craniofacial defects:
-
injuries to the face
-
tumours
Craniofacial operations are interdisciplinary surgeries performed
by a team of plastic and neurosurgeons. These competent interdisciplinary teams
evaluate and treat the patient and the team includes eye surgeons, ear, nose and
throat specialists, maxillo-facial surgeons, orthodontists, anaesthesiologists,
genetic specialists, pediatricians, speech therapists and social
workers.
Failure to treat craniofacial defects can lead to serious
functional and aesthetic damage. Functional problems can occur because of
increased intracranial pressure and through pathological cranial and facial
growth. A disfiguring defect can negatively affect the psychological and social
development of the child and retard its social development.
Operations
to treat premature closure of cranial sutures involve a procedure known as
frontal-orbital advancement. A conservative treatment, through use of "head
bandaging", or "head positioning" with special helmets, is reserved for slight
defects and problems of positioning. With severe facial deformities, the
principle of distraction is applied after a repositioning osteotomy of the
facial skeletal structure is accomplished. Through a repositioning of the facial
bones, an improvement in function and appearance can be brought about.
We
treat craniofacial conditions with an experienced team of specialists; the
craniofacial surgery is performed at Tygerberg Hospital, the academic teaching
hospital of Stellenbosch University or at adequately equipped private hospitals
in Cape Town, South Africa.
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