We are independent & ad-supported. We may earn a commission for purchases made through our links.
Advertiser Disclosure
Our website is an independent, advertising-supported platform. We provide our content free of charge to our readers, and to keep it that way, we rely on revenue generated through advertisements and affiliate partnerships. This means that when you click on certain links on our site and make a purchase, we may earn a commission. Learn more.
How We Make Money
We sustain our operations through affiliate commissions and advertising. If you click on an affiliate link and make a purchase, we may receive a commission from the merchant at no additional cost to you. We also display advertisements on our website, which help generate revenue to support our work and keep our content free for readers. Our editorial team operates independently of our advertising and affiliate partnerships to ensure that our content remains unbiased and focused on providing you with the best information and recommendations based on thorough research and honest evaluations. To remain transparent, we’ve provided a list of our current affiliate partners here.
Health

Our Promise to you

Founded in 2002, our company has been a trusted resource for readers seeking informative and engaging content. Our dedication to quality remains unwavering—and will never change. We follow a strict editorial policy, ensuring that our content is authored by highly qualified professionals and edited by subject matter experts. This guarantees that everything we publish is objective, accurate, and trustworthy.

Over the years, we've refined our approach to cover a wide range of topics, providing readers with reliable and practical advice to enhance their knowledge and skills. That's why millions of readers turn to us each year. Join us in celebrating the joy of learning, guided by standards you can trust.

What Are the Different Types of Facial Reconstruction Surgery?

By Marlene Garcia
Updated: May 17, 2024
Views: 5,978
Share

Facial reconstruction surgery repairs damage from injury, cancer, and birth defects. Different facial reconstruction surgery techniques are used for the skull, nose, ears, and lips. These surgeries might correct deformities present at birth or damage to facial features from an accident. Other facial reconstruction procedures might be done for cosmetic reasons to improve appearance.

Children born with a cleft lip or palate typically undergo facial reconstruction surgery to close the cleft. This operation is generally performed when the infant is about three months old. If the palate requires repair, the operation typically is done later, but before the child turns a year old. The surgery closes the cleft and reconstructs the lip so it appears more normal.

Ear reconstruction surgery is called otoplasty. It might be done on part or all of the ear to correct birth defects. Micotia surgery creates new ears from cartilage and tissue taken from the patient’s body; the cartilage generally comes from the rib cage. Otoplasty might also be performed to pin back ears that stick out and appear excessively large. Cartilage is sometimes removed to reshape ears in this type of facial reconstruction surgery.

When skin cancer affects the face, head, or neck, Mohs surgery represents a treatment option. This operation was named for the doctor who developed the technique of removing thin layers of skin to excise all cancerous tissue. The operation is commonly done with a local anesthetic and requires no hospitalization. Lesions are removed and examined under a microscope layer by layer until all the cancer is removed. Microsurgery is usually done later to repair any deformity to the face from Mohs surgery.

If trauma damages facial features, a doctor’s primary concern typically centers on the airway, circulation, and the possibility of brain damage. He or she might hold off tests to determine the degree of facial reconstruction surgery needed until the patient is stable. Once that occurs, a computer tomography scan shows whether the patient needs bone grafts, plates, or stabilization of small bone fragments. Surgeons typically try to perform all the repairs in one operation, which might include implants to fill in missing tissue.

Tumors in the skull rarely grow into the facial region, but when they do, they require surgery. This is considered a complex procedure because nerves and numerous blood vessels are involved. It might require the assistance of a neurologist and neurosurgeon to minimize loss of function.

Mentoplasty repairs deformities of the chin to improve appearance. It is commonly done at the same time as rhinoplasty, often called a nose job. Rhinoplasty corrects injuries to the nasal area that impede breathing and may be done for cosmetic reasons also; it is considered a difficult surgery. Other cosmetic facial reconstruction procedures include a facelift, liposuction to remove excess fat, a forehead lift, and eyelid lift.

Share
WiseGeek is dedicated to providing accurate and trustworthy information. We carefully select reputable sources and employ a rigorous fact-checking process to maintain the highest standards. To learn more about our commitment to accuracy, read our editorial process.

Editors' Picks

Discussion Comments
Share
https://www.wisegeek.net/what-are-the-different-types-of-facial-reconstruction-surgery.htm
Copy this link
WiseGeek, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.

WiseGeek, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.