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Shriners Children’s physicians are specially trained to perform plastic and craniofacial surgery for children, combining reconstructive plastic surgery techniques to bring hope and healing to families dealing with differences involving the face, jaw, eyelids, ears, breasts or skin.

Birthmarks, scars or facial differences can take many forms, but the end result of how a child or parent feels about them may be similar. Especially when it involves visible parts of a child’s body.

Our extensive plastic surgery program focuses on patients with conditions and differences that affect a child’s appearance, functional abilities like speaking, breathing or eating, and self-esteem. A child may be born with (congential) conditions like cleft palate, nevi or hemangioma, or their condition may occur through illness or trauma (acquired) such as a burn.

Shriners Children’s surgeons use the same techniques and principles that a general plastic surgeon does. But we also take into consideration how a child will grow, to offer each patient the best possible outcome and appearance through childhood and into adulthood.

Our approach involves a team of specialists in plastic surgery, ear, nose and throat, speech and occupational therapy, psychology, audiology, dentistry and dental radiology, and pediatric nurse practitioners. Because Shriners Children’s provides all care and services regardless of a family’s ability to pay or insurance status, physicians and specialists are able to consider every appropriate treatment option available to give your child a bright future.

What We Treat

Plastic surgeons at Shriners Children’s provide reconstructive surgical and non-surgical procedures for the conditions listed below. This is not a complete list. If you don’t see your child’s condition please search all conditions or contact a Shriners Children’s location.

Facial Clefts including cleft lip and cleft palate are treated by our craniofacial specialists and a multidisciplinary team.

Jaw Deformities: Surgeons move the positions of the jaw and teeth to help eating, breathing and speaking.

  • Dentofacial skeletal deformities
  • Maxillary hypoplasia/hyperplasia
  • Mandibular hipoplasia/hyperplasia
  • Open bite deformity
  • Condylar hyperplasia
  • Chin differences - microgenia/macrogenia

Our plastic surgeons treat a variety of skin conditions including Nevi/Nevus, birthmarks like vascular anomalies or malformation, and other disorders. We also specialize in wound healing and pressure injuries in children who may use wheelchairs for cerebral palsy, spina bifida or spinal cord injuries.

Ear Differences

  • Ear deformity
  • Split earlobe
  • Microtia/enotia
  • Newborn ear molding

Eyelids

  • Eyelid ptosis
  • Eyelid deformity
  • Droopy eyelid

Abnormal head shape in babies, and plagiocephaly

Facial Syndromes: We provide a team approach that goes beyond the physical needs, and addresses the social and emotional needs of children born with more complex syndromes and facial differences including:

  • Pierre Robin Sequence
  • Stickler syndrome
  • Goldenhar syndrome
  • Treacher Collins
  • Craniofacial Microsomia
  • Hemifacial Microsomia
  • Cherubism
  • Nager syndrome
  • Parry-Romberg Syndrome
  • DiGeorge syndrome
  • Crouzon Syndrome
  • Apert Syndrome

Breast Differences

  • Tuberous breast
  • Breast Asymmetry
  • Gynecomastia
  • Macromastia
  • Body contouring after massive weight loss

Wounds and Scars

  • Burns
  • Post traumatic scars
  • Traumatic Wounds that won't heal after injury or illness
  • Pressure injuries (pressure ulcers, bedsores)
  • Dog Bite scars

Specific treatments and services may vary by location. Please contact a specific location for more information.

How We Support Your Child’s Total Health and Well-Being

Did you ever hear of a hospital or medical center that a child says is their "favorite place?" Families and patients often say Shriners Children’s feels like home. We know that a child's needs go beyond the physical. Our care teams support their social, emotional and developmental health with patient programs and activities.

A few examples include:

Child Life Services (Medical play, coping skills, and fun)

Creative arts

Live entertainment

Music therapy

On-site public schooling

Pet therapy

Specialty camps

Therapeutic recreation

Not all programs are available at every location. Contact your child’s care manager through the patient portal or any member of your child’s care team to learn more.

One of the most rewarding aspects of pediatric plastic surgery is being able to give children the opportunity to lead a normal life and to not go through life concerned about having a difference.
Dr. Lee Alkureishi, Shriners Children's Chicago
male physician with 3d printed jaw

Advanced 3-D Planning for Plastic Surgery

Shriners Children's plastic surgeons pioneered new techniques using 3-D printing for surgical planning of complex jaw surgeries.

Services We Provide

View All Related Services

Hearing Services

Shriners Children's offers hearing services to help screen and assess problems and possible hearing loss that may be associated with craniofacial and cleft conditions.

Facial and Dental Imaging

Shriners Children’s offers specialized facial and dental imaging (X-rays) for children with craniofacial differences. The painless process helps surgeons and doctors understand each child’s unique facial anatomy to plan treatment.

Ear, Nose, Throat Services

Ear, nose and throat services, known as ENT, involve the care and treatment of a range of head and neck disorders. Many craniofacial conditions treated at Shriners Children's also involve ENT specialist care.

Speech Therapy

The speech therapy services available to patients at Shriners Children’s benefit children from birth through adolescence who have difficulties with communication and swallowing.

Care Management

The care management team at Shriners Children's consists of registered nurses and social workers who act as resources for families throughout their plan of care.

Psychiatry & Psychological Services

Our psychologists at Shriners Children's specialize in evaluating and providing support to children and their families who are adjusting to a new diagnosis or having difficulty in their everyday lives due to trauma.

Dentistry

Shriners Children’s offers a multidisciplinary team to address your dental concerns related to a variety of craniofacial conditions. Our specialists will evaluate your child and provide an individualized care plan.

Next Steps

Request an Appointment

Families and caregivers seeking treatment should start by contacting us for an appointment.

Log in to the Patient Portal

Parents and guardians of existing patients can email, request records, schedule appointments and more.

Refer a Patient

Physicians and healthcare providers can request appointments, start transfers or contact us with questions.