Pediatric plastic surgery and craniofacial care at Dell Children’s
Fellowship-trained pediatric plastic surgeons at Dell Children’s Medical Center, part of Ascension Seton, specialize in reconstructive and plastic surgery for infants, children and teens. Plastic surgery may be used to help restore function or appearance to a part of your child’s body affected by a congenital condition or injury. Whether you are taking your child to their first appointment or looking for a second opinion, our experienced surgeons take the time to explain your child’s diagnosis and discuss treatment options. We take a multispecialty approach to care, so your child’s care team may include pediatric plastic surgeons, pediatric surgical nurses, pediatric orthodontists, specialized speech therapists, advanced practice nurses and physician assistants, social workers, counselors and more. Together, we create a surgical care plan that is right for your child and your family.
Plastic and reconstructive surgical care
Advanced plastic and reconstructive surgical care at Dell Children’s includes:
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Brachial plexus and nerve injury care
Children with brachial plexus injuries and other nerve injuries need specialized care from a team of pediatric specialists. At Dell Children’s, we bring together a team of pediatric plastic surgeons and neurosurgeons to deliver advanced care for these types of conditions. Our goal is to restore function and improve your child’s quality of life.
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Burn care
Plastic surgeons at Dell Children’s provide advanced surgical care for children afflicted with minor to severe burns. We work closely with pediatric specialists in the ER, trauma center, pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) and wound care center at Dell Children’s Medical Center to treat serious burns that require surgical care. And we connect your child and family with additional follow-up care, including pediatric rehabilitation, if needed.
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Craniofacial care
Children with craniofacial conditions may need multiple surgeries as they grow and develop. Your child’s craniofacial surgeon works with a team of specialists to evaluate your child before surgery and review your child’s surgical care plan. Our craniofacial surgeons have the expertise to surgically treat even the most complex congenital malformations, tumors and traumatic injuries.
Your child’s care team includes pediatric craniofacial surgeons, pediatric orthodontists, pediatric speech therapists, and other pediatric specialists. You and your child may meet with multiple specialists in one visit, providing comprehensive care through combined expertise in treating craniofacial conditions.
Some craniofacial and airway malformations may be diagnosed before birth. During your pregnancy, we work closely with your maternal-fetal medicine (MFM) doctor at Dell Children’s to plan for the care your baby will need. If your baby has a complex craniofacial or airway malformation, we work with specialists at Dell Children’s Comprehensive Fetal Care Center to create a delivery and post-delivery surgical care plan for your baby.
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Cleft lip and cleft palate care
Dell Children’s has the only cleft lip and palate program in Austin that is approved by the American Cleft Palate-Craniofacial Association. Your child’s care team includes plastic and reconstructive surgeons, orthodontists, social workers and speech therapists. This comprehensive approach to care means your child gets comprehensive surgical and recovery care. The cleft program provides all the services a patient with this condition will ever need from birth to age 18.
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Congenital hand and upper extremity anomalies care
Pediatric plastic surgery-trained hand surgeons deliver advanced care for infants and children with congenital hand differences (anomalies) and upper extremity (upper arm, forearm, and hand) anomalies. These conditions include extra or missing fingers, and many other congenital differences. We work closely with pediatric orthopedic surgeons and pediatric rehabilitation specialists to deliver comprehensive care focused on establishing or restoring normal function of the affected extremity.
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Ear anomalies and microtia care
This specialized team delivers care for ear defects such as prominent ears, microtia (partially formed external ear) and anotia (missing external ear). As part of the craniofacial program, our clinic provides services such as ear molding that helps prepare your child’s ear for surgery. In some cases, ear molding can reduce your child’s need for surgery. Our goal is to help restore the look and function of your child’s outer ear.
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Jaw and bite care
Pediatric craniofacial surgeons at Dell Children’s have the expertise to perform corrective jaw surgery. This surgery is performed to correct maxillofacial (jaw and face) skeletal and dental abnormalities, including the misalignment of jaws and teeth (underbites and overbites). Our goal is to help improve your child’s chewing, speaking, and breathing.
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Orthodontic care
Our experienced craniofacial orthodontists provide advanced dental care for children with craniofacial conditions – from braces to oral surgery. At your child’s first appointment, we provide a thorough evaluation of your child’s mouth and jaw, including advanced imaging. Then we create a care plan to help correct the bite, align the jaw and straighten teeth.
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Plagiocephaly care
If your child has a condition that causes differences (abnormalities) in their head shape, such as flat head syndrome (positional plagiocephaly), talk with an experienced pediatric specialist at Dell Children’s. We start with an evaluation to make a diagnosis and then discuss treatment options. Treatment typically includes repositioning therapy, maximizing tummy time, and in some cases, a cranial orthotic helmet. Our goal is to help your child’s skull form normally.
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Skin pigmentation, cysts and lesion care
Pediatric plastic surgeons have the expertise to surgically remove disfiguring moles, cysts and other dermatologic conditions. We work closely with pediatric dermatologists at Dell Children’s to provide advanced, comprehensive skin care.
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Traumatic injury care
Dell Children’s Medical Center is the only Level I Children's Surgical Program and Level I Trauma Center in Central Texas – meaning we provide the highest level of pediatric surgical care for children with traumatic injuries. To treat complex traumatic injuries, we bring together a multidisciplinary care team of pediatric plastic surgeons, neurosurgeons, orthopedic surgeons, intensive care specialists, anesthesiologists, radiologists, rehabilitation specialists and more. Together, we collaborate to provide comprehensive surgical care and follow-up care.
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Vascular anomalies care
The Vascular Anomalies Clinic at Dell Children’s brings together a highly experienced multispecialty team, including pediatric dermatologists, pediatric plastic surgeons, interventional radiologists, pediatric hematologists and oncologists, and more. We have the expertise to diagnose, treat and manage the care of children with rare and complex vascular anomalies, including vascular tumors and malformations.
A multispecialty approach to care
When you choose Dell Children’s, your child and family are connected to the most pediatric speciality care in Central Texas. That means if your child’s condition is complex, we work with a team of pediatric specialists to deliver comprehensive care, using a team approach. Together, your child’s care team evaluates their condition and collaborates to create a surgical care plan that’s right for your child.
If your child needs multiple surgical procedures, such as ear tube placement and a cleft lip repair, we work with other specialists at Dell Children’s to coordinate your child’s care. We often work with pediatric otolaryngologists (ear, nose and throat doctors), neurosurgeons, pulmonologists and other specialists to perform multiple procedures at the same time, limiting the number of times your child will need anesthesia.
What sets us apart
The most pediatric specialty care
At Dell Children’s, your child and family are connected to the most pediatric specialty care in Central Texas.
Care for the whole child
Certified child life specialists, pediatric psychologists and social workers are part of your family’s care team – caring for your child’s mental and emotional health.
Cleft lip and palate care
Dell Children’s has the only cleft lip and palate program in Austin that is approved by the American Cleft Palate-Craniofacial Association.