Although any operation that improves a child’s physical appearance can be considered “plastic” surgery, what we do at Nemours is a little bit different. Here we’re focused on reconstructive or corrective surgery that’s aimed not just at improving a child’s appearance on the outside. Our goal is also to help kids feel better about themselves on the inside. And we hope to make their quality of life much better in the process – bettering the movement and function of parts affected by injury, disease, genetic syndromes, birth defects, or abnormal development.
Our team of highly trained pediatric specialists includes surgeons, anesthesiologists, nurses, and therapists who understand both the physical and psychological needs of children undergoing plastic surgery – and that a child’s self-image is important at any age. Equipped with advanced technology and a vast understanding of the specific challenges associated with plastic surgery, our expert team takes pride in caring for children who need surgery for everything from common problems like ear tags to more complex procedures like head and neck tumor removal and reconstruction.
Often our team partners with other Nemours specialists and outside experts to ensure that your child continues to receive a personalized care plan before and after surgery. These other experts, who work with a team coordinator, may include:
- dentists and oral surgeons
- orthodontists (who treat abnormally positioned teeth)
- general surgeons
- speech-language therapists (also called speech-language pathologists)
- ENT specialists (ear, nose, and throat doctors)
- social workers
- neonatologists (doctors specializing in newborn intensive care)
- geneticists (doctors who can offer insights about genetic disorders that might have resulted in a birth defect or deformity)
- dermatologists (skin doctors)
We offer corrective or reconstructive surgery for:
- craniofacial impairments – defects or deformities of the head, skull, or face (like cleft lip and palate) that are genetic or congenital (meaning present since birth)
- wounds and facial injuries
- skin lesions
- head or neck tumors
- vascular malformations (such as complex birthmarks)
- burns
- other conditions requiring plastic surgery
As with any procedure at Nemours, our goal is to offer your child the most effective treatment with the minimum number of operations possible. Whether your child needs one operation or several over time, our care doesn’t end once your child leaves the hospital. Our team is here to serve as a resource for your family throughout the entire healing process.