Treatment, Surgery & Anesthesia
Craniofacial reconstruction
Craniofacial reconstruction is surgery to restore the structure and appearance of the skull and face, often part of anterior encephalocele repair.
In short: Craniofacial reconstruction
- It addresses facial structure, symmetry, and appearance.
- It often accompanies anterior encephalocele repair.
- It accounts for ongoing facial growth.
- It may be staged over time.
What it is
It is surgery to restore the structure and appearance of the skull and face. For anterior encephaloceles, it accompanies the watertight closure and addresses the facial and cosmetic aspects of the repair.
Understanding Craniofacial reconstruction
It addresses facial structure and symmetry — including issues like widely spaced eyes (hypertelorism) and the contour of the forehead and nose — alongside the neurosurgical closure. Because the facial skeleton continues to grow and remodel through childhood, the appearance after reconstruction evolves over time, and procedures may be staged. A combined neurosurgery-craniofacial team plans the reconstruction with both function and appearance in mind.
Why it matters
Understanding craniofacial reconstruction helps families set realistic expectations: appearance is addressed alongside closure, results evolve with growth, and more than one procedure may be planned over time.
Common questions
What does craniofacial reconstruction address?
Facial structure, symmetry, and appearance.
When is it done?
Often with anterior encephalocele repair.
Will appearance keep changing?
Yes — the face continues to remodel with growth.
Bottom line
Craniofacial reconstruction restores the skull and face during anterior encephalocele repair, evolving with growth and sometimes staged.
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