Craniofacial Program for Children and Teens

The Craniofacial Program at Children's Hospital Colorado provides diagnosis and long-term management for children with congenital and aquired craniofacial abnormalities of the head, face and neck. 

Why choose Children's?

We have been treating craniofacial patients for more than 25 years, and have performed more than 1,000 craniofacial surgeries, making ours one of the most experienced craniofacial programs in the country. Our program is currently the leading regional center for comprehensive treatment of patients with craniosynostosis and dysmorphic craniofacial abnormalities.

Our multidisciplinary craniofacial team consists of health care providers from a number of departments at the Children's Hospital, including; plastic surgery, neurosurgery, otolaryngology, nursing, and other specialties. This comprehensive team works together to treat the most serious and complex craniofacial abnormalities, and provides patients and their families the benefits of improved health and appearance.

Conditions we treat

We offer treatment for all craniofacial abnormalities, including:

• Abnormalities of the face or skull secondary to prior surgical procedures
• Abnormalities of the face or skull secondary to trauma
• Acquired facial deformities, such as facial fractures, dog bites and other traumatic injuries
• Bifid nose; a nose that is split into two parts
• Cranial defects (holes in the skull) regardless of cause
• Craniosynostosis; a birth defect caused by premature fusion of bones in the skull, resulting in abnormal skull shape
  • Brachycephaly
  • Oxycephaly
  • Plagiocephaly
  • Scaphocephaly
  • Trigonocephaly
  • Turricephaly
• Facial clefts
• Facial fractures
• Fibrous dysplasia; a disease that causes a portion of a bone to enlarge abnormally
• Fronto-orbital advancement
• Hypertelorism; an abnormally increased distance between the eyes (wide-
  set eyes)
  Macrocephaly; increased head circumference
• Neurofibroma/Neurofibromatosis; genetic disorders that causes tumors to grow on nerve tissue, producing skin and bone abnormalities
• Orbital dystopia; abnormal position of the eye sockets
• Syndromes affecting the face or skull
  • Apert; abnormal skull shape and facial features, with anomalies of the hands and feet
  • Binder; abnormal development of the nose and upper jaw
  • Carpenter; abnormal skull shape resulting in a pointed head, webbing or fusion of fingers and toes, or extra fingers or toes
  • Cohen; decreased muscle tone, abnormalities of the skull, face, hands and feet, and mental retardation
  • Crouzon; abnormal skull shape and facial features
    Pfeiffer; abnormal skull shape, wide-set eyes, underdeveloped midface, broad, short thumbs and big toes
  • Saethre-Chotzen; abnormal skull shape, ptosis, facial asymmetry, and small ears

The Craniofacial care team

Children with craniofacial anomalies often have multiple medical issues that require the expertise of a multidisciplinary team. In the Craniofacial Program at the Children's Hospital, our health care team provides for the medical, physical and psychosocial needs of your child and your family. Your child's primary care team will include a plastic surgeon and a neurosurgeon. Other specialties involved in your child's care include ear, nose and throat, dental medicine and orthodontics, oral & maxillofacial surgery, ophthalmology, genetics and speech and hearing. This combination of specialties enables us to create an individual care plan for your child. And because every child with a craniofacial condition is different, an individual plan is important. In addition, our craniofacial care team is involved with state-of-the-art research to identify causes and new treatments for craniofacial abnormalities.

Pediatric Surgeon

Pediatric Neurosurgeons and Pediatric Plastic Surgeons are specially trained in providing the diagnostic and surgical interventions in a hospital that has the support services, pediatric physicians, and nurses necessary for the care of your child. Our surgeons have developed craniofacial surgical techniques that are innovative and groundbreaking.

Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS )

A CNS is a registered nurse (RN) who has completed an advanced degree as a clinical specialist, and has specialized training in the care of children. The CNS is licensed to see patients for assessment, treatment and follow up. The craniofacial CNS provides patient/family teaching and support, telephone triage, Emergency Department triage (during daytime), and coordination of patient care (inpatient/outpatient).

Craniofacial Outpatient Services

The craniofacial team meets bi-weekly in our outpatient clinic to consult with patients and their families. An appointment in this clinic is the first step to determine necessary treatment for your child. At this initial visit, your child will be seen by the craniofacial care team. When necessary, additional specialists are consulted as part of your child's care. After a thorough evaluation of your child's physical characteristics, studies, films and genetic testing, our multidisciplinary team will develop a treatment plan that most effectivly treats your child's condition. At this time, the craniofacial team also will determine whether your child's treatment plan includes surgery, as not all patients require surgery. Patients are also seen in the craniofacial clinic for post-operative appointments and follow-up care.

Contact us

To contact the Craniofacial Program, please e-mail the care team or call (720) 777-5578.