Pediatric Craniofacial Services

Our team will manage the following conditions:

Cleft Lip and Palate

Cleft lip and palate is the most common birth impairment, occurring in 1 out of 700 births. Comprehensive and team coordinated care from infancy through adolescence is essential to achieve the best outcome. Dr. El-Rabbany is the Maxillofacial surgeon on McMaster University’s regional cleft and craniofacial team.  At team appointments, our team will coordinate with are a variety of specialists present to provide an interdisciplinary approach to treating complex craniofacial differences.

Corrective Jaw Surgery (Orthognathic Surgery)

Orthognathic surgery is needed when the top and bottom jaws don’t meet correctly and/or teeth don’t adequately fit within the jaw. Teeth are straightened with orthodontics, and corrective jaw surgery repositions a misaligned jaw. This not only improves facial appearance, but also ensures that teeth meet correctly and function properly.

Craniofacial Syndromes

Patients with craniofacial syndromes such as Crouzon, Apert, Treacher Collins, Goldenhar, and others requires comprehensive and team coordinated care from infancy through adolescence to achieve the best outcome. Dr. El-Rabbany is the Maxillofacial surgeon on McMaster University’s regional cleft and craniofacial team.  At team appointments, our team will coordinate with are a variety of specialists present to provide an interdisciplinary approach to treating complex craniofacial differences.

Craniosynostosis

Craniosynostosis is a skull malformation that results in premature fusion of one or more of the bone plates in infancy. It is important to distinguish the diagnosis because craniosynostosis can cause brain growth problems, and optimal treatment often should occur before the age of one.

Facial Trauma

Craniofacial growth and development are particularly important factors to consider when treating children who have suffered facial trauma. The initial injury requires prompt attention. Due to the changing development of the craniomaxillofacial region, secondary asymmetries can often persist.

Maxillofacial Pathology

Pediatric craniofacial pathology are structural or functional deviations from normal and can arise as growths and tumors of the face, skull, and jaw. It can affect one in every 50 children.  Appropriate imaging and an expertise in craniofacial surgery is necessary to treat these conditions in the pediatric population.

Pediatric Sleep Apnea

Sleep apnea in children differs from that of the adult population. It can affect feeding, weight gain, cognitive development, and behavioral issues. Treatments for obstructive sleep apnea are complex and require a team approach. Surgical management of facial skeletal abnormalities will be provided by our team.

Plagiocephaly

Plagiocephaly refers to a flat spot on a baby’s head or misshapen head shape due to preferential sleeping, intrauterine positions, or torticollis. These will usually only affect one side of the head, which can make your baby’s head appear asymmetric or abnormal.

Tongue-Tie (Ankyloglossia)

Ankyloglossia is when a baby’s tongue can’t move as well due to a fold of tissue that connects the tongue to the floor of their mouth. Not every child with breastfeeding difficulties will require a frenotomy. Breastfeeding difficulties are complex, and numerous other conditions can cause these difficulties. Our surgeons will work with your lactation consultants to provide appropriate treatment recommendations for your child.

TMJ Surgery

TMJ (temporomandibular joint) disorders are a family of problems related to the jaw joint. TMJ stands for temporomandibular joint, which is the name for each joint (right and left) that connects your jaw to your skull. Should a surgical intervention be indicated, our team will review these treatment options with you.