Patient with gradually worsening facial asymmetry
The patient is an 8-year-old boy from Meerut in Uttar Pradesh, India. His parents had begun noticing a developing facial asymmetry as he grew up. It has now reached the point where it is very visible and this has greatly distressed his parents. The patient too has been facing a lot of bully at school and does not have many friends. They had approached a local doctor who had explained to them that their son had hemifacial microsomia. He had further explained the treatment protocol for hemifacial microsomia and had referred them to our hospital for treatment.
Our hospital is a premier center for hemifacial microsomia surgery in India. Facial reanimation surgery is performed on a regular basis in our hospital. Patients from all over the world are referred to our hospital for hemifacial microsomia treatment.
What is hemifacial microsomia?
Hemifacial microsomia is a congenital disorder that affects the development of the lower half of the face. It most commonly affects the ears, the mouth, and the lower jaw. It mainly manifests on only one side of the face, but may rarely involve both sides. When hemifacial microsomia is severe, it may cause breathing difficulties from tracheal obstruction. This may even require a tracheotomy. It is the second most common birth defect of the face after cleft lip and palate. Incidence rate is one out of every 3500 to 4500 live births.
Children born with hemifacial microsomia could face difficulties at school and at social settings. Their facial features are perceived as being different. This could lead to a sense of isolation and loneliness in these children. Parents too need counseling to overcome feelings of despair and depression. Improper handling of these children during the growing years could lead to permanent psychological scarring.
Common features seen in this condition
The affected side has the appearance of facial paralysis. However, there is no involvement of the facial nerve. Soft tissue disfigurement is a prominent feature of this condition. The lower areas of the face are mainly affected. Microtia too is a common feature. Cleft lip and cleft palate are not associated with this condition. Orthognathic surgery could be required to correct the jaw deformity. Craniofacial centers specializing in reconstructive surgery are well equipped to handle these cases. Correction of drooping corner of the mouth is performed by reanimation surgery using fascia lata grafts.
Hemifacial microsomia shares many similarities with Treacher Collins syndrome, Franceschetti syndrome, Goldenhar syndrome and Parry-Romberg syndrome.
Initial presentation at our hospital for hemifacial microsomia treatment
Dr SM Balaji, hemifacial microsomia surgeon, examined the patient and obtained a detailed history. He then ordered for comprehensive imaging studies including a 3D CT for the patient. The patient had facial asymmetry on the right side. His 3D CT scan revealed the absence of the condyle and coronoid on the right side along with a hypoplastic ramus. The patient also had microtia on the right side. There was also the presence of a noticeable occlusal cant.
Treatment planning explained to the parents
A right sided ramus distraction osteogenesis was planned for correction of the patient’s facial asymmetry. Bone was however not sufficient for performing the distraction osteogenesis. Plan was to create a condyle using a costochondral graft with a growth centre and reinforce the mandibular ramus. This would enable the presence of sufficient bone for performing distraction osteogenesis later.
Successful surgical creation of condyle on the right side
Under general anesthesia, a right inframammary incision was made and a costochondral rib graft was harvested. A Valsalva maneuver was then performed to ensure that there was no perforation into the thoracic cavity. The incision was then closed in layers with sutures. Next, a right submandibular incision was made and dissection was done up to the condyle. The coronoid was created and the ramus was augmented using the costochondral rib graft, which was fixed using titanium screws. Closure of the wound was then done using resorbable sutures.
Optimal anatomical coronoid, condyle and ramus structures
The surgery was a complete success. Coronoid was successfully created and ramus was augmented. A postoperative OPG taken after 3 months revealed sufficient bone consolidation. The patient now had a more symmetrical face. It was explained that the patient needed to return in six months for distraction osteogenesis. That would then be followed by reconstruction of the patient’s ear after sufficient growth has occurred. Correction of facial deformity greatly benefits patients suffering from hemifacial microsomia.
