Reconstructive Operations: Polydactyly to Cleft Palate

Polydactyly is an extra finger or toe, most often on the thumb, middle finger or little finger. It can appear on the hands as well as the feet. Among reconstructive operations for the hand, this is one of the more common congenital conditions we treat.

Surgical treatment is usually done between six and twelve months of age, or after the first birthday. We proceed as early as your child is medically ready. Before the operation we assess the bone tissue with X-ray images. We then remove the least functional digit while protecting the blood supply to the remaining fingers.

Syndactyly is a hereditary genetic condition and a birth defect in which two or more fingers or toes are fully or partially fused. During normal embryonic development the digits should separate. When this process fails between the seventh and eighth week of pregnancy the anomaly appears. Treatment is surgical, and the operation can be performed in children older than one year.

Burns of any depth damage the appearance and the function of tissues, so they need prompt attention. Reconstructive and aesthetic care started at the right time gives the best healing results and limits long-term scarring.

Flap surgery is the foundation of many reconstructive operations. It means moving a piece of living tissue from one part of the body to another. We keep its blood supply intact so it stays alive in its new place. In short, we use healthy tissue from elsewhere on your body to correct a tissue defect.

You can read more about related procedures on our body surgery page.

When a wound cannot be closed with stitches we transfer a piece of skin from another area of the body. The graft can be partial thickness or full thickness. It is fully detached from its original site and moved to the wound. There it speeds up healing and supports tissue repair.

Today many people have synthetic fillers injected into different areas of the body for cosmetic reasons. If you are unhappy with the result, you can entrust us with the safe and complete removal of those fillers from your body.

When migraine disrupts your daily life and other treatments have not helped, migraine surgery is the most modern and effective option. Success rates are above ninety percent. Because the incisions are very small they leave no visible scar.

A cleft lip can be diagnosed during pregnancy on ultrasound, or right after delivery. Treatment aims to correct the speech problems, dental condition, facial shape and hearing issues that the cleft may produce. The plan usually includes several staged steps from childhood through adolescence, with tailored care available for adults when needed.

A cleft palate is diagnosed in the maternity hospital or on prenatal ultrasound. Care typically combines plastic surgery, maxillofacial surgery, ENT and orthodontic treatment, speech therapy, and cleft-specialist nursing support. With modern techniques the facial form, speech and dental condition can reach very satisfying results.