The third major application of craniofacial reconstruction is in forensic medicine and anthropology. Craniofacial reconstruction is a complicated procedure because the surgeon is operating on a part of the body that contains the brain and upper part of the spinal cord, the eyes, and other sensory organs, and the opening of the patient’s airway-all within a small space. In both adults and children, the reconstruction is intended to restore the functioning of the patient’s mouth, jaw, and sensory organs as well as improve his or her appearance. In adults, craniofacial reconstruction is most commonly done following head or facial trauma, but it is also performed on cancer patients who have lost part of the bony structures or soft tissue of the face following tumor surgery. Craniofacial reconstruction in children requires special techniques and planning because the surgeon must allow for future growth of the childs facial bones and skull. It is also done to repair traumatic injuries resulting from accidents or child abuse. In children, craniofacial reconstruction is done to repair abnormalities in the shape of the child’s skull and facial features resulting from birth defects or genetic disorders.

Zygoma- The cheek bone in the front of the face below the eye socket, it is connected to the frontal bone of the forehead and the maxilla (upper jaw) sometimes called the os zygomaticum or zygomatic bone. Treacher Collins syndrome- A disorder that affects facial development and hearing, thought to be caused by a gene mutation on human chromosome 5 sometimes called mandibulofacial dysotosis. Suture- A type of body joint that is found only in the skull the surfaces of the bones in the skull are held together by a thin layer of fibrous connective tissue. Orbit- The bony cavity in the face that surrounds and protects the eyeball. Microsurgery- Surgery performed under a microscope on nerves and other very small structures with the help of special instruments. Maxilla- The facial bone that forms the upper jaw and holds the upper teeth.

Mandible- The horseshoe-shaped bone that forms the lower jaw. Le Fort fracture- A term that refers to a system for classifying fractures of the facial bones into three groups according to the region affected. PurposeĬraniofacial reconstruction has several different purposes depending on the group of patients or KEY TERMSĬleft palate- A birth defect in which the roof of the mouth is open because the two sides of the palate failed to join together during fetal development.Ĭongenital- Present at the time of birth.Ĭraniosynostosis- Premature closing of the sutures joining the skull bones.Ĭranium- The large, rounded upper part of the skull that encloses the brain.ĭown syndrome- A congenital disorder caused by a mutation of human chromosome 21 in which there are three chromosomes (trisomy) instead of the usual pair.įlap- A piece of tissue used for grafting that has kept its own blood supply.įorensic- Referring to legal or courtroom proceedings.įrontal bone- The part of the skull that lies behind the forehead. Craniofacial reconstruction is sometimes called orbital-craniofacial surgery “orbital” refers to the name of the bony cavity in the face that surrounds the eyeball. The word “craniofacial” is a combination of “cranium,” which is the medical word for the upper portion of the skull, and facial. Craniofacial reconstruction refers to a group of procedures used to repair or reshape the face and skull of a living person, or to create a replica of the head and face of a dead or missing person.

Craniofacial skeleton sketch