The craniofacial team at the Dell Children’s Craniofacial and Reconstructive Plastic Surgery Center coordinates with related support services to offer a multidisciplinary approach in the diagnosis, treatment, and management of cleft palate and other craniofacial deformities in children and adolescents. Unlike an adult’s body, a child’s body is constantly growing.  This expected growth must be factored into the procedure.  Therefore, to ensure the maximum level of quality care, the child requires a doctor who specializes in pediatrics.  Our craniofacial program does just that, and is comprised of the five following clinics: craniofacial, cleft lip/palate, congenital ear, orthodontics and plagiocephaly.

Craniofacial Clinic

The craniofacial clinic combines the expertise of our craniofacial plastic surgeons and pediatric neurosurgeons. The team meets together with the patient and family to provide a thorough evaluation of the patient, review scans, and to discuss possible diagnoses and treatment options. With the use of scans, 3D imaging, and team collaboration, a treatment and possible surgical plan is established to obtain the most positive patient outcome.

Cleft Lip/Palate Clinic

The cleft lip/palate clinic brings together healthcare specialists from different fields in one place to provide the services required to aid both the child and their family. Visits to the cleft lip and palate clinic enable communication between specialists and the patient’s family that is supplemented by comprehensive written team reports sent both to the family and other medical providers, keeping all parties up to date and on the forefront of treatment.

Congenital Ear Clinic

Our ear anomalies clinic is the only clinic of its type in the greater Austin area that specializes in children. We take care of a wide variety of ear defects from prominent ears to microtia/anotia. As part of the collaborative environment in the craniofacial program, the ear anomalies clinic also provides services such as ear molding that ready the ear for surgery and optimize surgical outcomes. In some cases it can reduce the need for surgery.

Orthodontics Clinic

Our orthodontics clinic supports the wide range of patients who visit the Craniofacial and Reconstructive Plastic Surgery Center at Dell Children’s. Using a variety of methods including appliances, splints, braces and surgical procedures, our orthodontic treatments compliment the patient’s medical treatment to improve surgical outcomes, and in some cases, reduce the need for surgical treatment.

Plagiocephaly Clinic

With a primary focus on parental education, the plagiocephaly clinic provides parents with the necessary tools and guidance to give their child the most positive outcomes. After a thorough evaluation, parents are taught repositioning and stretching, and referrals are made for physical therapy and orthotic helmets when appropriate. The plagiocephaly clinic maintains a close relationship with the orthotic companies and follow-up with the patient is maintained throughout the process.

Reconstructive Plastics Program

The reconstructive plastics team, also at the Dell Children’s Craniofacial and Reconstructive Plastic Surgery Center provides state-of-the-art reconstructive and aesthetic surgery procedures for children and adolescents with congenital and developmental anomalies.

General/Reconstructive Plastics Clinic

The general/reconstructive plastics clinic treats both congenital anomalies and traumatic injuries. Our plastic surgeons work closely with other pediatric specialists and surgeons to provide the best care possible for your child. We have the added convenience of having a pediatric orthodontist & dentist on site for coordinated care as needed.

Wound Care Clinic

The wound care clinic uses the expertise of pediatric plastic surgery housed at the Dell Children’s Craniofacial and Reconstructive Plastics Center to promote complete healing of moderate to severe wounds that are the result of trauma, surgery, burns, infection, and cancer for patients throughout Dell Children’s. The goal of our wound care clinic is to educate families, promote comfort, and decrease anxiety in the context of managing wounds that are a challenge to heal. 

Hand Program

The Dell Children’s Craniofacial and Reconstructive Plastic Surgery Center’s hand program provides comprehensive evaluation, diagnosis, management, surgical procedures, and follow up for children and adolescents with congenital hand conditions, hand trauma and other conditions, such as juvenile arthritis and hand tumors. Our team includes renowned and experienced physicians who are fellowship trained and are hand and microsurgery specialists.

For both congenital and traumatic hand conditions and injuries, the hand clinic follows the full spectrum of hand care for our patients. In one setting, patients can visit their physicians, therapists and care team, allowing our clinical staff and patient care teams to stay up to date on the patients’ progress. 

Vascular Malformations

Additionally, our Craniofacial and Reconstructive Plastic Surgery Center contains our vascular malformations program.  It brings together medical and surgical teams to provide the state-of-the-art care for children and adolescents with lesions ranging from birthmarks to malformations associated with systemic syndromes.

Vascular Anomalies Clinic