Operative correction and follow-up of craniofacial duplication.

Authors:	Bibiana Kotrikova, Stefan Hassfeld, Hans H Steiner, Stefan Hähnel, Robert Krempien, Joachim Mühling
Language:	Eng.
Date:	2007-02-21
Journal:	Plastic and reconstructive surgery (1529-4242)
Release:	Plast Reconstr Surg. 2007 Mar;119(3):985-91
Abstract:	BACKGROUND: Anterior craniofacial duplication (diprosopus) is an extremely rare form of conjoined twins. The children share a single trunk with normal extremities and varying degrees of facial malformation. Duplication of specific structures, such as the nose (diprosopus dirrhinus), eyes (diprosopus tetraophthalmus), and ears, is possible. The authors present a case of partial facial duplication (diprosopus dirrhinus) in a male infant. METHODS: The clinical and radiographic findings and the surgical correction and follow-up are described. RESULTS: In a single surgical session, the authors were able to achieve not only a functionally but also an aesthetically acceptable result. In the postoperative course, the child showed nearly normal growth and satisfactory psychosocial and motor development. However, 40 months postoperatively, we noticed a tendency of the orbitae to diverge (i.e., toward hypertelorism). CONCLUSIONS: The surgical management of complex craniofacial malformations such as diprosopus needs a precise morphologic analysis of the patient's deformity followed by a clear treatment plan. A staged reconstructive approach is carried out to coincide with facial growth patterns and brain and eye function. If the interorbital distance in our patient increases progressively, a second operation for reduction of the interorbital distance may be necessary.
Copyright:	Plastic and reconstructive surgery Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany. bibiana.kotrikova online.de
Full text:	DOI - Plastic and reconstructive surgery (DOI) Lippincott Williams - HTML (needs subscription) Ovid Technologies, Inc. - HTML (needs subscription) Swets Information Services - HTML (needs subscription)
Terms:	Craniofacial Abnormalities, Facial Bones, Humans, Infant, Male, Nose, Osteotomy, Reconstructive Surgical Procedures