CRANIOFACIAL DEFORMITIES

For a normal looking face, the distance between the eyes should be roughly 30 to 35 mm in children. Even slight increase makes a huge difference in appearance. Orbital Hypertelorism is the condition that refers to an abnormally increased distance between the two eyes measuring more than 35 mm in children. In this condition, the eyes are so wide set that the nose appears broad, almost animal like and flat. All the structures that normally occur between the eyes are displaced. Sometimes even the brain is positioned lower, and found hanging between the eyes. This condition occurs since birth and can occur alone or as manifestation of other birth deformities.

COMPLEX EYE, NOSE AND SKULL POSITION CORRECTION SURGERY PERFORMED FOR 9-YEAR-OLD BOY

Correction of this kind of deformity is routinely carried out by Dr.Manpreet Singh though each case is different and the techniques used for the treatment need to be customized and modified. The deformity can be so severe that such children are isolated and live as recluses and therefore early correction of the deformity is mandatory. But attempting such a complex brain and eye repositioning surgery at such an early age is a colossal challenge. The total correction needs multiple steps but the primary and first stage of bringing the eyeballs to the normal position without any change in vision is the trickiest and challenging.

The conventional technique would be to release the eye socket by cutting the bone on all four sides of the eyes. The upper wall of the eye is reached through the brain, the side walls though the skin and the lower wall beneath the eye is reached through the eyelids. The last cut, through the eyelids is the only one that is usually in visible part of the face, the rest being concealed within the hairline. This cut is essential and was unavoidable till date. New, advanced Technique.