Helen DeVos Children's Hospital
Plastic & Craniofacial Surgery

Areas of Expertise

Cleft lip/palate repair: Our pediatric oral cleft team is internationally recognized for their expertise. What sets our program apart from others starts with our customized approach to treatment and includes advanced surgical techniques pioneered by our team and used in the initial and any follow-up surgeries. These techniques preserve facial function and allow for fewer and less aggressive surgeries than other pediatric plastic surgery programs. Most importantly, we have outstanding results and are proud of how we’re able to help individuals like Briana have a beautiful smile and speak clearly.

Craniosynostosis corrections: Our pediatric plastic and craniofacial surgeons are experts in diagnosing and treating simple and complex craniosynostosis (premature joining of skull plates), including sagittal synostosis, metopic or unicoronal synostosis, and bicoronal synostosis, which is often associated with genetic disorders such as Apert or Crouzon syndrome. Our craniofacial surgeons also supported by a multidisciplinary team that includes a pediatric neurosurgeon for more complex cases. We offer three types of advanced surgical treatment: a minimally invasive “directed growth” technique, traditional cranial vault remodeling and distraction osteogenesis. The correct type and timing of surgery vary based on the age of your child and his or her diagnosis.

Maxillofacial surgery: Maxillofacial surgery [link to new maxillofacial surgery page]: Maxillofacial specialists diagnose and surgically treat acquired and developmental deformities that affect the jaws, mouth, teeth and mid-facial structures. Unlike many other maxillofacial surgery programs, our experts are pediatric plastic and craniofacial surgeons, not dentists. This allows our team to integrate cheek, nasal, soft tissue and jaw surgery, not just teeth, to restore overall facial balance and function.

Atypical moles and birthmarks: Our team offers early medical or surgical intervention for these common birth defects on the face and body, including hemangiomas (strawberry-colored birthmarks) and vascular malformations (port wine stains), as well as pigmented birthmarks, such as moles. Lesions are evaluated and treated in partnership with dermatologists, oncologists, otolaryngologists and interventional radiologists.

Breast and chest wall reconstruction in males and females: We provide comprehensive diagnosis and treatment for breast disorders in children and adolescents, including breast asymmetry, macromastia in teenage girls or gynecomastia in teenage boys. We include input from pediatric specialists in endocrinology, behavioral medicine and the Healthy Weight Center. Together, we address the functional, cosmetic and psychosocial aspects of the condition itself.

Ear reconstruction: Our team can treat microtia, prominent ears or ear cartilage malformation. Within the first weeks of life, ear anomalies can often be improved without surgery. Our plastic surgery team will see newborn patients right away. Later in life, ear surgery can improve the shape, position or proportion of the ear.