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Pediatric Cleft and Craniofacial Center
Apert Syndrome Treatment Options
Your child's pediatrician and the Craniofacial Team will work with you and your child to assess your child's needs and determine necessary treatments. If surgery is prescribed, following are some common procedures used in the treatment of Apert Syndrome:
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Skull reshaping to correct the craniosynostosis
Our pediatric neurosurgeon and the craniofacial surgeon work together closely and watch for any signs of pressure on the brain. Skull reshaping proceeds in a staged fashion to expand the volume for the growing brain.
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Frontal-orbital advancement
This procedure is performed to increase space within the skull and the size of both orbits (the part of the skull which holds the eyeball). Again, the craniofacial surgeon and the pediatric neurosurgeon work together.
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Mid-facial advancement
Performed usually around age five, or sooner if breathing difficulties arise. The cheeks and lower orbits are advanced. Techniques to encourage bone growth may be used.
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Facial bi-partition
Widens the upper jaw, derotates the orbits, and narrows the upper face. -
Osteotomy
Moving of the bone of the upper and lower jaw to correct further irregularities in the bite. This is usually performed during the teen years.
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Rhinoplasty
Plastic surgery of the nose.
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Genioplasty
Plastic surgery of the chin or cheek. -
Hand surgery
Treatment of the hands and feet begins as early as 2-3 months of age and is coordinated with treatment of the toes and feet. The type of surgery performed by our fellowship-trained hand surgeons is based on the type of hand abnormality present and the needs of the child.