Medical Info
Craniofacial Information
Craniofacial referrs to the head and face, cranio- meaning skull and -facial referring to facial structures. It is the term used to 
describe deformities of the region, the surgeons who specialize in the area, the teams that treat these patients and the foundations that support research and treatment for head and face abnormalities.
Craniofacial surgery is a subspecialty of plastic surgery and oral and maxillofacial surgery. While craniofacial surgery most often involves the manipulation of bone, the surgeons also deal with soft tissue, muscle, skin, and teeth. Craniofacial surgery does not include manipulation of the brain tissue which is why a neurosurgeon should be present to protect the brain tissue from damage while the craniofacial surgeon performs his/her tasks.
With new techniques of ultrasound, diagnosis of a child with a craniofacial deformity can begin before birth. Having a complete diagnosis helps the craniofacial surgeon determine treatment planning and a reconstructive approach. Craniofacial treatment will often last from infancy to adulthood, using a complete team of craniofacial specialists lead by the craniofacial surgeon.
Many conditions can be corrected with craniofacial reconstructive surgery.
Cleft Lip and Palate
- Cleft lip and palate occurs in many variations. It is a type of clefting congenital deformity which develops during pregnancy. Cleft lip & palates occur about 1 out of 700 births and can be successfully treated.
Craniofacial Deformities
- Apert’s Syndrome
- Crouzon’s Syndrome
- Goldenhar Syndrome
- Craniosynostoses
- Treacher-Collins Syndrome
- Pierre-Robin’s Syndrome
Traumatic Injuries of the Head and Neck
- Trauma which affects the craniofacial region of head and neck.
Tumors of the Head and Neck
- Lesions related to embryologic and/or abnormalities of growth cells which are present in the child at the time of birth, or appear during early childhood development.
