Craniofacial surgery

Craniofacial surgery is a surgical subspecialty that deals with congenital and acquired deformities of the head, skull, face, neck, jaws and associated structures. Craniofacial treatment often involves manipulation of bone, but craniofacial surgeons deal with bone, skin, nerve, muscle, teeth, and other related anatomy as well.

Defects typically treated by craniofacial surgeons include craniosynostosis (isolated and syndromic), rare craniofacial clefts, acute and chronic consequences of previous facial fractures, cleft lip and palate, micrognathia, Treacher Collins Syndrome, Apert's Syndrome, Crouzon's Syndrome, Craniofacial microsomia, microtia, and many other conditions. Training in craniofacial surgery requires completion of a residency in oral and maxillofacial surgery, plastic and reconstructive surgery, or ear, nose, and throat surgery, followed by a Craniofacial surgery fellowship. Those who have completed residency in oral and maxillofacial surgery may be either single degree or dual-degree surgeons with no differences. There is no specific board for craniofacial surgery. In the US, cleft and craniofacial centers are found in many major academic centers.