Houston Plastic and Craniofacial Surgery

1-713-791-0700

Reconstructive Surgical Procedures

available in Texas
Leading AAAASF-accredited plastic surgery centers in
Texas offer safe and
effective reconstructive
surgery. Reconstructive
surgery is performed to
correct abnormalities in
structures of the body
caused by congenital
defects, developmental
issues, infection, trauma, tumors or disease. These
procedures are aimed at improving functionality as well as
aesthetics.
Conditions that reconstructive procedures can resolve
Craniosynostosis
Craniosynostosis is a birth defect in which the bones of the
skull fuse together prematurely. This prevents the brain
from growing in its natural shape, resulting in an
abnormally-shaped skull. There are various types of
craniosynostosis such as Sagittal Synostosis, Coronal
Synostosis, Metopic Synostosis, and Multiple Suture
Synostosis. Two common surgical procedures used to
correct this condition are:
Endoscopic Synostosis Repair: This type of surgery
is usually performed when the baby is much younger
(less than 3 months old). The procedure is done with

Houston Plastic and Craniofacial Surgery

1-713-791-0700

the help of an endoscope, which is used to look up

through two tiny incisions made on the top of the
head. Then, through these small incisions, a segment
of bone is removed near the fused bone and also in a
few other places to release the fusion.
Cranial Vault Remodeling: Cranial vault remodeling
is usually performed on older children. In this surgery,
the bones of the skull are reshaped by expanding and
enlarging the space within the vault, allowing the
brain to grow more naturally.

Cleft Lip and Cleft Palate

Cleft lip and cleft palate are common birth defects that
occur at the very early
stages of pregnancy. Cleft
lip, characterized by split
in the upper lip, occurs
when the tissue that makes
up the lip does not join
completely. On the other
hand, a cleft palate occurs
when the tissue that makes up the roof of the mouth does
not join completely and is characterized by openings in the
upper lip.
Treatment for cleft lip and cleft palate include one or more
surgical processes. Usually some type of orthodontic
treatment like nasal alveolar molding (NAM) is performed
prior to surgery to guide the growth of the mouth in the

Houston Plastic and Craniofacial Surgery

1-713-791-0700

right direction. With NAM, it is possible to reduce the

number of surgeries. The technique offers many benefits:
Accurate repair of cleft lip by bringing the edges
closer
Correction of nasal deformity, by creating a natural
looking nose
Repositioning of the infants alveolar ridges and
restoring its normal anatomic alignment
Improving the results of surgery
Microtia/Ear Reconstruction
In microtia, pinna or outer ear is underdeveloped. It is
characterized by a smaller outer ear or its complete
absence. This rare condition happens only in 1 in 7000
babies. Ear reconstruction surgery using a rib graft is the
appropriate and most common procedure used to correct
this deformity. The procedure involves the creation of a
new ear from the childs own tissue. The framework for
creating the new ear is taken from childs ribcage. The
stages involved in reconstructive ear surgery are:
Attachment of this rib graft to the ear opening using
fine sutures
Attachment of the earlobe
Elevation or lifting of the external contours of the ear
Forming of the tragus and external canal

Houston Plastic and Craniofacial Surgery

1-713-791-0700

This procedure is also used to correct other conditions such

as an incomplete ear with closed off external ear canal,
anotia (non-existence of the whole ear), the non-existence
of the external ear, ear drum, and external ear canal.
Obstructive Sleep Apnea
In obstructive sleep apnea, breathing is interrupted by
physical obstruction of airflow. It is characterized by
complete or partial blockage in the upper airway during
sleep. Common symptoms of the conditions include
difficult breathing, habitual snoring, observed apneas,
restless sleep, and daytime neurobehavioral problems.
Though various treatments are available to correct this
disorder, mandibular distraction is considered an ideal
option. The procedure widens the lower jaw bone to
enhance airway functioning.
Conditions of the Jaw
Orthognathic jaw surgery is often performed to correct any
discrepancy between the size of jaws (lower or upper or
both) and to improve patients facial appearance. The
procedure corrects any differences between the size of jaws
in relation to each other and the base of the skull. It also
eliminates
functional
problems
associated
with
misalignment of teeth while chewing, eating, breathing, and
speaking. The surgery involves three stages.
Stage I: Proper positioning of teeth with orthodontic
braces

Houston Plastic and Craniofacial Surgery

1-713-791-0700

Stage II: Moving jaw fragments to a pre-planned

position, where they are fixed using bone plates and/or
screws
Stage III: The braces are removed and during this
stage the patient can feel the best possible fit of their
teeth
Brachial Plexus Injury
The brachial plexus is a network of nerves that conducts
signals from the spinal cord. Injuries caused to these nerves
are simply referred to as brachial plexus injury. As these
nerves are responsible for providing movement and
sensation to the shoulder, arm and hand, any injury to these
nerves may cause severe pain in shoulders or arms and
often limit movement or decrease the sensation in these
areas.
The extent of injury determines the treatment for brachial
plexus injury.
For small injuries --- Therapies or non surgical
treatment procedures
For severe injuries --- Scar removal and/or direct
nerve repair
Breast Reconstruction
Those who have undergone mastectomy form the majority
of the candidates for breast reconstruction. In this

Houston Plastic and Craniofacial Surgery

1-713-791-0700

procedure, the normal shape and fullness of breast can be

restored with either of the following techniques.
Implants: - Reconstruction with breast implants filled
with saline or silicone gel
DIEP Flap Breast Reconstruction: - In this method, the
patient's own abdominal skin and fat is used to
recreate natural, warm, and soft breasts.
Regardless of the issue, it is essential to consult a Texasbased plastic surgeon experienced in reconstructive
procedures to achieve optimal results.