Maxillofacial pathologies are a fairly common issue. The improvement of techniques used in maxillofacial surgery has made it possible to perform the most complex reconstructive and restorative operations.
The most promising are early surgeries, as they minimize treatment times and allow for maximum results. The need for maxillofacial surgery is often related to increased trauma in childhood.
The following categories of maxillofacial pathologies exist:
- congenital;
- traumas;
- odontogenic infections;
- allergic reactions;
- a combination of the above causes.
Based on the localization of the trauma, they are divided into facial, jaw, nasal, frontal, mucosal, and others. Maxillofacial trauma leads to the disruption of bone integrity and may subsequently cause breathing difficulties, chewing functions, as well as facial expression and aesthetics issues.
Pediatric maxillofacial surgery in Israel pays special attention to congenital defects – the non-fusion of lip fragments and parts of the face, nasal defects. Maxillofacial pathologies can lead to a range of psychological problems, which often result in the development of an inferiority complex.
Treatment
The majority of surgeries to correct congenital defects need to be performed within the first days of the infant's life. This may involve lip defects that can hinder normal feeding, potentially leading to weight loss. In cases of ankylosis of the temporomandibular joint, micrognathia may develop, which can subsequently lead to dental arch deformities. Defects of the cheek and upper lip can cause nasal wing deformities.
The primary method of pediatric maxillofacial surgery in Israel is autotransplantation. The essence of the method lies in transplanting tissues from a healthy area to the damaged one. If for any reason this method cannot be applied, allotransplantation is used – the transplantation of tissues from a donor. There is also a method called isotranplantation – the transplantation of tissues from one twin to another. The tissues of twins are genetically similar, so their acceptance rate is nearly one hundred percent.
Surgery for treating congenital pathologies in children is equipped with many methods, the choice of which is made by the physician based on treatment indications.