FACIAL RECONSTRUCTIVE SURGERY

 

            Introduction – There are many reasons patients develop facial disorders.  Some are born with them, others develop tumors, and still others are involved in a traumatic event.  Regardless of the cause, Dr. Ricalde can assist you or your child through facial reconstructive surgery. 

 

            Cleft Lip and Palate – (Figure 1) - Cleft lip and palate occurs 1 in 700 births, which is one of the most common facial birth problems.  Patients with this disorder require the involvement of many different specialists, and complete facial rehabilitation.  Dr. Ricalde is the Director of the Cleft and Craniofacial Center, where the focus is to assist children grow into adulthood with minimal facial and psychologic scarring. 

 

            Craniosynostosis – (Figure 6) - Craniosynostosis is a skull malformation where one or more bone plates have fused in infancy.  It can cause brain growth problems, and requires surgical repair before the age of one.  Patients with this condition are treated using state of the art care in a team approach.  Dr. Ricalde will discuss your child’s options and assist you to make an informed decision about treatment.  Typically this is coordinated with a pediatric neurosurgeon, to maximize the benefits, and minimize the risks associated with surgery.

 

            Corrective Jaw Surgery –  (Figure 3,4) - Unequal growth of the jaws commonly leads to bite problems that cannot be corrected by braces alone.  In these situations, orthognathic (jaw straightening) surgery is needed.  Dr. Ricalde will evaluate your condition and assist you to make an informed decision about treatment.  These treatments are typically coordinated with your orthodontist to maximize the benefits that can be achieved.

 

            Pathology – (Figure 2) - Growths and tumors of the face, skull, and jaws can affect one in every 50 infants.  They can be cysts, benign tumors, or cancers.  These types of conditions can be quite disfiguring, and can affect many parts of the face.  Dr. Ricalde is the Director of the Cleft and Craniofacial Center and utilizes state of the art resources to maximize the benefits and minimize the risks associated with the treatment of these conditions. 

 

            Trauma – Patients who have been involved in accidents frequently require prompt attention and treatment.  Sometimes even after initial treatment, secondary deformities persist that require comprehensive facial rehabilitation.  This is particularly important in children, where facial growth can be stunted and further problems can develop.  Dr. Ricalde frequently uses 3-dimentional radiographic analysis and models to maximize the benefits of surgery.

 

            Sleep Apnea – infants - Dr. Ricalde specializes in the surgical treatment of sleep apnea in infants.  Often times this condition creates poor sleep patterns, inability to gain weight (failure to thrive), and poor feeding in infants.  It requires accurate diagnosis, usually via team care along with the assistance of a pediatric ENT evaluation, sleep study, and specialized CT scan to determine if surgery is an option for your child.  Dr. Ricalde will discuss your options in order to assist you to make an informed decision about treatment.

 

            Sleep Apnea - adults - Dr. Ricalde is one of few surgeons in the Tampa area who performs Maxillomandibular Advancement (MMA) for the treatment of sleep apnea in adults.  Unlike many types of sleep apnea surgery, MMA creates a 3-dimentional increase in the airway space, which results in about 90% success rates.

 

            Plagiocephaly - (Figure 5) - It is common for babies to have flat spots on the skull due to preferred sleeping positions, intrauterine positioning, or due to torticollis.  Dr. Ricalde can evaluate flat spots to ensure they aren't due to malformations of the skull (craniosynostosis), which require surgical intervention.  If your baby has deformational molding, Dr. Ricalde can educate you about repositioning techniques, or offer a custom helmet for therapy to improve the head shape.