Pediatric Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery

Advanced Surgical Techniques to Restore Form and Function in Children

Loyola Medicine’s craniofacial and pediatric plastic and reconstructive surgery team restores form and function for children faced with congenital malformations (existing from birth) or problems due to an injury, tumor or disease. Our skilled surgeons specialize in craniofacial and other specialty surgeries for newborns, infants, children and adolescents. 

Loyola’s experienced and compassionate team treats routine and complex conditions that affect the head, neck, face, body, perineum, arms and legs of children. Some of the craniofacial anomalies we treat include:

We treat a range of craniofacial syndromes, including: 

• Apert syndrome
• Crouzon syndrome
• Goldenhar syndrome
• Nager syndrome
• Pfeiffer syndrome
• Pierre Robin sequence
• Poland syndrome
• Treacher Collins syndrome

In addition, we treat malformations that appear in other parts of the body, including:

• Birthmarks
• Breast anomalies
• Finger malformations, including extra fingers (polydactyly) and webbed fingers
• Hand differences, malformations and injuries
• Obstetric brachial plexus injury
• Pigmented lesions of the skin, including congenital hairy nevus
• Vascular lesions of the skin (hemangiomas)

The families who come to Loyola Medicine with a child who requires plastic and reconstructive surgery are often overwhelmed and worried. With treatment, we are able to improve differences in the face or body, which have a positive impact on both the physical and mental development of the child; improving self-esteem and social interaction.

Loyola’s multidisciplinary plastic and reconstructive surgery team includes a wide variety of specialists, including:

Why Choose Loyola for Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery?

Loyola is committed to the compassionate care of our young patients with plastic and reconstructive surgery. Loyola’s craniofacial and pediatric plastic and reconstructive surgery team is specially trained in the treatment of children and provides care in a family-friendly environment. 

Your child’s pediatric plastic and reconstructive surgeons take an integrated approach to caring for pediatric injuries and conditions. Our team understands the particular developmental needs of children and ensures that each child receives comprehensive, individualized care. Loyola’s clinicians welcome families to be involved in all aspects of diagnosis, treatment and recovery; they are available to answer any questions and address any concerns you might have. 

Before and after surgery, patients will benefit from Loyola’s comprehensive rehabilitative services, including physical and occupational therapy and speech pathology.

Which Conditions are Treated with Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery?

For children born with deformities or anomalies, Loyola offers specialized care. Our doctors and nurses provide advanced and comprehensive treatment options and want you to feel comfortable asking questions about your child’s condition and any treatment options. We will address all of your concerns and questions prior to moving forward with treatment.

Loyola Medicine’s craniofacial and pediatric plastic and reconstructive surgeons are skilled in caring for children with:

• Cleft lip and cleft palate — A condition that occurs when a child’s lip or mouth does not form completely. Learn more about cleft lip and cleft palate. 
• Craniofacial microsomia — Loyola’s surgeons are experienced in providing surgical treatment for deformities of the skull and face present at birth, including the correction of facial asymmetry. 
• Craniosynostosis — Our surgeons have expertise providing surgical treatment for infants born with premature fusion of the skull bones.  This includes syndromic craniosynostosis, which appear as part of Apert, Crouzon or Pfeiffer syndromes. 
• Facial deformities — Loyola’s specialists are comprehensive and compassionate in caring for children and adults with deformities that are congenital (present at birth), as well as those resulting from illness and injury. We offer advanced options that are tailored to your individual needs.

Our surgeons also treat a number of craniofacial syndromes (when a child is born with a group of several congenital  malformations). These include:

• Goldenhar syndrome — For infants born with Goldenhar syndrome, Loyola’s surgeons have experience correcting the incomplete development of the ears, soft palate, nose, lip and jaw that can occur with this condition.
• Nager syndrome — Loyola’s skilled surgeons have expertise in repairing the deformities of Nager syndrome, including down-slanting eyelids, soft and hard palate clefts, malformed outer and middle ears, excess hair on the cheek and limb defects. 
• Pierre Robin sequence — For infants born with Pierre Robin sequence, Loyola’s surgeons are experts in correcting the deformities of this condition, including a small jaw, abnormal tongue size and breathing difficulties. 
• Treacher Collins syndrome — For children born with Treacher Collins syndrome, our craniofacial surgeons are experienced in repairing typical deformities of this condition, including a lack of cheekbones, small lower jaw, hearing loss and ear and eyelid abnormalities.

How are Craniofacial Malformations in Children Diagnosed?

Loyola’s craniofacial and pediatric plastic and reconstructive surgeons are trained in the diagnosis and treatment of a wide range of conditions. Your child’s doctor will take a medical history and perform a physical examination focusing on areas of concern to the child and family.

Whether due to an injury, a tumor, an illness or a birth defect, your child’s doctor will take time and care in assessing the medical issue. 

Your child’s doctor may request imaging—such as an X-ray, CT scan (computed tomography) or MRI (magnetic resonance imaging)—in order to better understand your child’s bone structure and connecting tissue.

How are Craniofacial Conditions and Deformities Treated?

Loyola’s expert craniofacial and pediatric plastic and reconstructive surgery team provides functional and reconstructive treatment options for a wide range of injuries, deformities and conditions.

Your child’s healthcare team understands that plastic and reconstructive surgical techniques can have a significant impact on a child’s self-esteem and confidence, especially during adolescent development. Plastic and reconstructive surgery is not just cosmetic; Loyola’s surgeons can restore function, reshape a body part or repair an injury.

Our multidisciplinary team uses the most current surgical techniques for the following procedures: