1 University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, Philadelphia
The abnormal facial structural deformities present in a variety of major birth defects including the craniofacial dysostoses; orbital hypertelorism, and mandibulofacial dysostoses can now be, to a large extent, surgically corrected. Correction utilizes extensive planning involving perhaps a larger number of specialties than any other in medicine, and ultimately a radical surgical approach. The greatest benefits derived from this surgery are the changing of sometimes grotesquely abnormal facies to normal or near normal ones. With this there is exceptional potential for psychologic gain. Two other areas of potential benefit are visual and dental occlusal abnormalities.
Submitted on May 7, 1974