Facial reconstruction describes any type of plastic surgery done to correct injuries or deformities of the face. A person may undergo facial reconstruction if they have any of the following:
• Cleft lip and/or palate
• Other birth defects
• Burn scars
• Disfigurements caused by injury
• Disfigurements caused by cancer
What Are Cleft Lip and Cleft Palate?
Cleft lip and cleft palate are birth defects caused by the failure of the tissues forming the lips and the roof of the mouth to join together properly. The result is a gap or cleft. Cleft lip and cleft palate can occur together or separately. The clefts can be unilateral and affect only one side of the face, or they can be bilateral and affect both sides. The clefts can also vary in size and severity. For example, a cleft lip can be anything from a barely noticeable grove or dent in the upper lip to a cleft that extends all the way up to the patient’s nose.
Surgery is the only treatment for both conditions. Surgeons usually prefer to perform facial reconstruction on a cleft lip during the first year of a child’s life, and they usually prefer to operate on a cleft palate within the first 18 months. Untreated clefts not only mar a child’s appearance, they will also interfere with the child’s ability to eat and talk normally.
What Is Post-Mohs Reconstructive Surgery?
Mohs surgery is a facial reconstruction technique used to remove different types of skin cancer. It is well-known for having an extremely high cure rate. If the cancer is small, the surgeon will usually be able to simply stitch the wound closed. Larger wounds, however, may require a plastic surgeon’s attention. Post-Mohs reconstructive surgery describes the techniques used to close a large wound and restore the patient’s normal appearance. It is generally done right after the cancer has been removed.
The surgery can involve techniques like skin grafts, tissue expansion, cartilage grafting, or bone grafting. Skin flaps, however, are the most commonly used technique. A skin flap is a piece of skin that still has its blood supply attached to it. There are several different types, and the surgeon will choose the one that best suits the patient’s needs.
If you are in need of facial reconstruction, the professionals at Athena Plastic Surgery in West Palm Beach would be more than happy to discuss your options with you. Contact us today to schedule your consultation!