Excellence in the Surgical Repair of Craniofacial Anomalies

Craniofacial anomalies are conditions that affect a child’s head and face. They include several different disorders, from craniofacial asymmetry to cleft lip and palate. Whether your child’s condition is mild or severe, our pediatric plastic and reconstructive surgery team at Valley Children’s Healthcare will take a whole-child approach to healing. For the most effective results, we bring together an entire team of pediatric specialists to address every aspect of your child’s growth and development, including pediatric specialists in genetics, otolaryngology, oral surgery, orthodontia, periodontics, prosthodontics, audiology and speech pathology. 

Our experienced surgeons offer the appropriate advanced techniques, such as computer-guided facial reconstruction. But they also understand the emotional impact these very visible disorders can have on children and their families. Because they are devoted exclusively to helping children, our entire team is dedicated to caring for your child’s physical and emotional well-being.

For more than a decade, Valley Children’s Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery Team has earned approval from the American Cleft Palate-Craniofacial Association (ACPA) for meeting the Standards of Team Care for Cleft and Craniofacial Teams. The ACPA ensures that cleft and craniofacial care teams follow the proper sequence that takes place within the framework of the patients overall developmental, medical and psychological needs. Valley Children’s is one of only 190 teams with ACPA accreditation throughout the U.S. and Canada.
 

Craniofacial Anomalies We Treat

Craniofacial anomalies impact your child’s appearance, but they can significantly affect speech, hearing, dental health and learning abilities. Our nationally and internationally recognized pediatric plastic and reconstructive surgery team specialize in treating head and face conditions that affect your child’s growth and development, including:

• Cleft lip and cleft palate: A serious condition known as cleft lip or cleft palate could interfere with your child’s feeding or delay speech development. Valley Children’s was the first cleft/craniofacial team in the Valley approved by the American Cleft Palate-Craniofacial Association for the surgical repair of cleft lip and palate.
• Craniosynostosis: When bones in a child’s skull fuse together too soon, craniosynostosis occurs, changing the head’s shape and causing other symptoms. Our surgery experts know that the earlier craniosynostosis is detected and treated, the better the potential outcome.  
• Hemifacial microsomia: Sometimes, the tissues on one side of a baby’s face are underdeveloped. This congenital condition is known as hemifacial microsomia and can affect your child’s hearing, jaw function or speech development. Our pediatric plastic and reconstructive surgery team can help fix resulting problems with your child’s ear (such as microtia), mouth, jaw, or other areas of the face.
• Pierre Robin sequence (or Pierre Robin syndrome): This syndrome causes children to have a smaller than normal lower jaw and other issues that may lead to obstructive sleep apnea or other breathing problems. Our coordinated, whole-child approach to care is especially important to ensure the best results as your child develops.
• Hemangiomas: A common condition also known as birthmarks, most of these abnormal blood vessel growths known as hemangiomas are located in a child’s head or neck area. They may not be seen until weeks after birth but can grow at a rapid rate. This rapid proliferation can be alarming but can also cause your child pain. While some may go away on their own, others require treatment by experienced craniofacial experts. To develop the best diagnosis and treatment plan for your child, our pediatric plastic and reconstructive surgeons collaborate closely with other Valley Children’s experts.