Craniofacial and Pediatric Plastic Surgery

Children's facial abnormalities and injuries require special attention. A child's facial structure is continuously forming, so future growth is impacted by the healing and recovery process after surgery. Both routine and more complex surgical repairs require expert surgical skills to help ensure that your child’s growth follows expected patterns.

At Arkansas Children’s, our experts in craniofacial and pediatric plastic surgery provide compassionate and comprehensive surgical care for a range of craniofacial issues for children of all ages.

Our highly-skilled craniofacial plastic surgeons are renowned leaders in pediatric craniofacial, cleft palate and other similar conditions. Our team consists of Plastic Surgery, Orthodontics, Dentistry, Otolaryngology, Speech, Audiology, Genetics, and Ophthalmology. Working together, we lessen the burden of each condition and prevent further damage. The complex craniomaxillofacial team has the same goal for our patients as their caregivers and loved ones do – for each child to have the very best quality of life possible.

Possible Treatments

Our clinical team provides the full spectrum of general plastic surgery with a strong focus on jaw surgery (upper, lower and chin). We use the latest technological advances to virtually and precisely plan the pediatric surgery before ever stepping foot in the operating room. Operative plans and computer simulations are shared with patients and families. These specially-trained professionals offer the full spectrum of cleft care, including:

• Prenatal visits
• Primary cleft lip and palate repair
• Speech surgery
• Revisional cleft surgery
• Bone grafting
• Jaw surgery
• Rhinoplasty
• Flap reconstructions stemming from burns, cancer or trauma
• Breast reduction and reconstruction
• Dermoid cysts
• Nevi removal
• Scar revisions

Clinical Research

Clinical research has played an integral role within the Craniofacial, Cleft, and Pediatric Surgery Department at Arkansas Children’s since its inception. The department research program has made major contributions in clinical investigation in the following areas:

• A multi-department study of the genetic basis of craniofacial syndromes
• Two large studies on endoscopic craniosynostosis repair and shunt-induced craniosynostosis

Papers and Publications on Pediatric Plastic Surgery

To share recent innovations in plastic surgery, experts at the Craniofacial, Cleft and Pediatric Plastic Surgery Department at Arkansas Children’s have prepared manuscripts on of the following topics:

• Epidemiology of non-syndromic craniosynostosis
• Outcomes of atypical Tessier facial cleft repair
• Skeletal management of lymphatic epidemiology of non-syndromic craniosynostosis
• Published Pubmed articles

Developing Innovative Medical School Curriculum

Together with ongoing research and discovery, our physician-scientists are dedicated to teaching the next generation of craniofacial specialists through the development of innovative medical school curriculum. Our team led the efforts for a new University of Arkansas Medical School College of Medicine course entitled Fundamentals of Suturing, which began in the fall of 2017.

Innovation: Technology-Based Innovative Approach to Craniofacial, Cleft and Plastic Surgery

Patients who visit Arkansas Children’s for craniofacial, cleft and plastic surgery services have access to the most superior surgical procedures in the world. Because our highly skilled pediatric surgeons work closely with a multidisciplinary team, new procedures are quickly transferred across clinical settings, offering our pediatric patients constantly improved therapeutic options.

High-Tech Virtual Surgery Planning for Jaw Surgery

At Arkansas Children’s, our craniofacial team uses high-tech virtual surgery planning for all of our jaw surgeries. By uploading a fine cut 3D computed tomography (CT) scan, laser scanning of the dental impressions and the patient’s images, our craniofacial surgeons meet with biomedical engineers via a webinar to explore difficult surgical options, all in the planning phase. Through this advanced technology, our team is able to see how the patient will look with surgery, for improved outcomes. In addition, our biomedical engineers can also print 3D precise cutting guides to make the actual surgery safer, more efficient and more accurate.

Innovations in Pediatric Plastic Surgery

Our pediatric plastic surgeons are distinguished experts in understanding and treating a broad range of pediatric craniofacial and cleft conditions, using the latest advancements in surgical techniques. Some significant advances include the following procedures:

• Cleft related surgery from primary lip and palate repair to orthognathic surgery (fixed or distraction techniques to bring the upper and lower jaws into proper alignment and/or improve breathing and bite)
• Craniofacial bone distraction to lengthen any bone in the face or skull to improve breathing, vision or brain growth
• Facial fracture repair
• Fronto-orbito advancement, cranial vault remodeling, and cranioplasty to provide adequate room for the growing brain while correcting shape
• Soft tissue reconstruction of the face and chest area

As part of a collaborative education effort, our group has produced short videos that are published and available in a peer-reviewed online video surgical journal www.csurgeries.com. To view these surgeries, click on the links below. 

• Posterior Cranial Vault Remodeling for Shunt-Induced Craniocerebral Disproportion (CCD) - Kumar Patel, PA, Gregory W. Albert, M.D.
• Plastic Surgery Pearls for basic suturing: instruments & technique - Kumar Patel, PA
• Fronto-Orbital Advancement and Cranial Vault Remodeling for Metopic Craniosynostosis Akshay Krishnan; Eylem Ocal, M.D.;  Kumar Patel, PA
• Cranioplasty and Scar Revision - Ryan Strebeck, Kumar Patel, PA
• Alopecia Excision and Repair  - Taylor Dilday, Kumar Patel, PA
• LeFort I Osteotomy and Advancement in Patient with Maxillary Hypoplasia  - Aaron Smith, Kumar Patel, PA

Refer a Patient

If you have clinically related questions or questions about referrals, please contact one of our team members, including:

• Sagar Mehta, Director of Craniofacial Team, Pediatric Plastic Surgeon, at 501-364-2344
• Samantha Snavely, Pediatric Plastic Surgery/Craniofacial Physician Assistant, at 501-364-2914
• Tammy Roberson, Plastic Surgery Specialty Nurse, at 501-364-1958

We know the anxiety families must feel when a newborn or child needs plastic surgery for craniofacial, cleft or similar pediatric conditions. However, learning all you can about these conditions can help you understand your child’s situation and enable you to ask your doctor about any new developments in treatment. The following links provide the latest information on these important topics:

• Children's Craniofacial Association
• Cleft Palate Foundation
• American Cleft Palate- Craniofacial Association

Virtual Surgery Simulators:

• The Smile Train Virtual Surgery Simulator
• my Face - Craniofacial Virtual Surgery Simulator

Facebook Support Groups:

• Arkansas Craniofacial, Cleft & Pediatric Plastic Surgery 
• Arkansas Family Cleft Support 
• Craniofacial Support Group of Arkansas

Camp Laughter

In honor of National Cleft and Craniofacial Awareness Month, Arkansas Children’s hosts this annual event at Camp Aldersgate. The event typically lasts one-day and is for kids ages 5-18 with cleft and craniofacial differences. It’s a free camp designed for families to connect with other families who are going through similar situations. 

What is the mission/purpose of Camp Laughter? It’s a bonding time for parents and kids. Plus, it’s a place without any judgment, just FUN! Parents can meet other parents and discuss feelings and/or thoughts they have and be understood. Kids can meet other kids who look similar and feel included and welcome. It is a camp just for them! They are also able to interact with their cleft/craniofacial team specialists, which allows each child to see them as an everyday person and not just someone they associate with clinic visits and surgeries, therefore decreasing fear and anxiety with upcoming care.

What type of activities can campers expect? Kids start the day by participating in crafts, followed by a tribe meeting. They then break up into four groups for activities such as fishing, sling shot art, leather stamping and a petting zoo. They will finish the day with swimming, followed by an ice cream party and talent show.

How does Camp Laughter help kids understand their cleft or craniofacial differences? Camp empowers them to be happy and proud of who they are and allows them to know they are not alone. It also allows them to be reminded that having a cleft or craniofacial difference does not slow them down but they can achieve anything they set their minds to!

For more information, contact camplaughter@archildrens.org.