Craniofacial Reconstructive Surgery Program

About the Program

Our world-renowned academic medical center offers the personnel, facilities and equipment to provide comprehensive care for patients requiring facial reconstruction.

Facial deformities may be congenital, post-traumatic or result from the removal of tumors. The Craniofacial Reconstructive Surgery Program offers state-of-the-art, comprehensive patient care for patients of all ages and disease processes.

Our surgeons are internationally recognized for their expertise in the reconstruction of these deformities. Their techniques are published in peer-reviewed literature and surgical textbooks. They regularly lecture, both nationally and internationally, to their surgical colleagues on related topics.

Innovative Research

The Plastic Surgery Research Laboratory investigates several craniofacial topics including the tissue engineering and transplantation of facial and extremity tissues.

Education Opportunities

As part of our commitment to training the next generation of surgeons, we offer the Adult Reconstructive/Aesthetic Craniomaxillofacial Fellowship through our education and training program.

Common Reasons for Facial Reconstructive Surgery

We offer a broad range of treatments to address all types of facial reconstruction needs, including:

Congenital Facial Deformities

Congenital deformities are usually treated in infancy or childhood. Our team of plastic surgeons work closely with Mass General for Children pediatric specialists in the following areas:

• Anesthesia
• Dentistry
• Diagnostic radiology
• Genetics
• Nursing
• Speech pathology

Late Reconstruction

Many patients come to Mass General to have reconstruction for previous traumatic deformities. We may treat these patients using three-dimensional preoperative imaging, which allows us to view a model of the patient’s facial skeleton. This imaging aids in planning the patient’s procedure.

Post-Tumor Removal Reconstruction

The removal of facial tumors can have devastating effects on facial appearance. Our Craniofacial Reconstructive Surgery team closely collaborates with other specialists to perform procedures on facial tumors, including dermatologists who remove various skin cancers.

Physicians in the Mass General Dermatology Service use the Mohs technique to remove skin cancers in a way that ensures a minimal amount of normal tissue is removed. Our Craniofacial Reconstructive Surgery team then uses various surgical techniques to optimize the patient's facial appearance.

Tumors removed by neurosurgeons may require reconstruction of the scalp and skull. Our team may use alloplastic implants or bone grafts to reconstruct the skull. Surgeons may use local flap techniques and free-tissue transfers to reconstruct the scalp. Tumors removed by otolaryngologists may require reconstruction using microsurgery.

Acute Injuries

Mass General has the largest Level 1 Trauma Center in New England. Our division's experienced surgeons use the most sophisticated equipment for the diagnosis and resuscitation of trauma patients. A member of the craniofacial team is always available for the urgent assessment and management of patients with facial trauma. Our surgeons use miniaturized plates and screws to maintain the position of fractured facial bones after they are restored to their pre-injury position, and use techniques borrowed from aesthetic surgery to minimize scarring and deformity.

Patient Care

During your consultation, the surgeon will review your medical history and treatment goals. Treatment options, including risks and benefits, will be discussed in detail. Photos may also be necessary. We also ask that you bring a list of medications, vitamins and herbal supplements that you take, along with information on dosages.

Our goal is to give you a realistic picture of what to expect so that you can make an informed decision. We also review what's involved in any surgery, including:

• Anesthesia
• Anticipated results
• Hospital care
• Postoperative recuperation