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Updated: Aug 3, 2026
Assessing Signaling Properties of Ectodermal Epithelia During Craniofacial Development
Published on: March 24, 2011
[A decade of experience in craniofacial surgery]
M R Wexler1, A Neuman, F Umanski
1Dept. of Plastic Surgery, Hadassah-University Hospital, Jerusalem.
Insights
This study highlights the success of pediatric craniofacial surgery in treating complex malformations like Crouzon syndrome and craniostenosis. Early surgical intervention supports normal development and growth in young patients.
Area of Science:
- Craniofacial Surgery
- Pediatric Surgery
- Plastic Surgery
Context:
- Multidisciplinary team approach involving plastic surgery, neurosurgery, ophthalmology, genetics, neurology, orthodontics, pedodontics, facial rehabilitation, psychiatry, social work, and anesthesiology.
- Craniofacial surgery has evolved into a predominantly pediatric subspecialty.
- Evidence supports that early, precise surgical interventions do not impede normal growth and development.
Purpose:
- To review surgical outcomes for various craniofacial malformations.
- To present a series of 78 patients treated between 1979-1989.
- To illustrate the efficacy of surgical repair through case examples.
Summary:
- Surgical repairs addressed Crouzon and Apert syndromes, hypertelorism, large craniofacial clefts, and craniostenosis.
- Procedures included frontal remodelling, mid-facial advancement, orbital repositioning, and cranial vault reconstruction.
- The study encompasses a decade of patient data, detailing complex reconstructive techniques.
Impact:
- Demonstrates the feasibility and positive outcomes of early surgical correction for craniofacial anomalies.
- Highlights the importance of a comprehensive, multidisciplinary team in managing complex pediatric cases.
- Provides valuable insights into surgical techniques for congenital and acquired craniofacial deformities.
Abstract:
Our craniofacial surgery team includes experts from the following fields: plastic surgery, neurosurgery, ophthalmology, genetics, neurology, orthodontics, pedodontics, facial rehabilitation, psychiatry, social work, anesthesiology and intensive care. Craniofacial surgery became to a large extent pediatric surgery, following evidence that careful, early surgery does not impair growth and that development following surgery is almost normal. The malformations that were repaired included those of the Crouzon and Apert syndromes, requiring frontal remodelling and advancement of the middle third of the facial skeleton; hypertelorism in which orbits were moved to the midline; large craniofacial clefts in which the hemiface from either side was moved to the midline; and different types of craniostenosis in which frontal advancement and remodelling with reconstruction of the vault was performed. The series consisted of 78 patients who presented between 1979-1989. 3 illustrative cases are described.
