Cranio Facial Surgery
Craniofacial surgery is the name given to the multi-disciplinary team approach of Neuro-surgeons, Plastic Surgeons and maxilo-facial surgeons who operate to restore
aesthetics and function to a group of rare genetic facial conditions and craniosynostoses.
Severe cranio facial malformation results in a highly stigmatising facial appearance, but can also interfere with breathing and swallowing. The cranial malformation may also be associated with brain damage.
Challenge for rare disease
Outcomes take a long time to be known and the surgery is complex and demanding requiring high levels of skill and experience for optimum results.
Network
The UK network for syndromic craniofacial malformations consists of four centres.
Clinical Outcomes
The long term outcomes of treatment may not be known for 15 years or more when the patient has reached adulthood. The short term outcomes are measured by the avoidance of short term complications of surgery, including operative blood loss and surgical complications (including death).
In the annual meeting the results of all surgical procedures during the previous year are presented by each centre and any adverse outcomes discussed.
Emerging best practice and innovation from peer learning
Recently, three consecutive patients at one unit experience post operative wound infections. Although all responded to treatment, the unit conducted a thorough investigation. One of the learning points shared with other units at the annual meeting was the concept of a ‘closed’ theatre. In ordinary practice, people enter and leave the operating theatre freely. With a closed theatre policy, once the operation starts, no-one is allowed to enter the theatre and no-one is allowed to leave.