World-Class Craniofacial Surgery in New Jersey

The Craniofacial Surgery team at RWJBarnabas Health offers treatment for congenital conditions (from birth) as well as acquired conditions, such as the effects of illness or traumatic injuries from accidents. We offer a variety of cosmetic and reconstructive surgery options. Our doctors use the latest, state-of-the-art technologies, and perform complex procedures to effect dramatic, even life-changing results for our patients. Our goal is to improve quality of life for people who have been adversely affected by head and neck conditions.

Surgery on the face, head or neck can be a daunting prospect. These are the most exposed parts of your body, and reflect the image you present to the world. You wouldn’t trust just anyone to do this kind of surgery. You need the highly trained, experienced craniofacial surgery specialists at RWJBarnabas Health by your side.

For help choosing a specialist, please call 888-724-7123.

A Multidisciplinary Team of Doctors Covers Every Aspect of Care

Craniofacial surgery may require a variety of specialists to ensure optimal results. Our comprehensive team includes specialists from a wide range of disciplines including:

• Craniofacial Surgery
• Audiology
• Neurosurgery
• Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery
• Otolaryngology
• Orthodontics
• Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
• Prosthodontics
• Speech and Language Pathology

Cleft Lip and Cleft Palate Surgery

In the US, about 1 in 1,050 babies is born with a cleft lip (with or without a cleft palate), and about 1 in 1,600 babies is born with a cleft palate alone. The pediatric surgeons at RWJBarnabas Health who specialize in treating these birh defects — in which a baby's lip or mouth don't form properly — are highly trained in the surgical techniques needed to close up the openings and ensure the best possible cosmetic outcome. We have two centers dedicated to cleft lip and cleft palate surgery.

Our Centers

We have specialized centers for craniofacial surgery: The New Jersey Institute for Craniofacial Surgery, the Rutgers Health Cleft Craniofacial Program, and the Cleft Palate Center.

Cleft Palate Center

The Cleft Palate Center at Monmouth Medical Center is one of five regional referral centers in the state established by the New Jersey Department of Health for children born with clefts. All patients are treated, regardless of ability to pay.

New Jersey Institute for Craniofacial Surgery

Accredited by the American Cleft Palate-Craniofacial Association, the New Jersey Institute for Craniofacial Surgery New Jersey Institute for Craniofacial Surgery (NJICS) in Livingston has been at the forefront of numerous pioneering achievements in craniofacial surgery for 70 years.

Rutgers Health Cleft and Craniofacial Program at The Bristol-Myers Squibb Children’s Hospital

Adults and children with congenital cleft and craniofacial differences are treated at Rutgers Health Cleft and Craniofacial Program at BMSCH. It is a leader in providing comprehensive care for patients with cleft lip, cleft palate and craniofacial anomalies including craniosynostosis. Our specialists provide expert, compassionate care. Our physicians are on the faculty of Robert Wood Johnson University Medical School, a part of Rutgers University, one of the top research institutions in America, and surgeries are conducted at The Bristol-Myers Squibb Children’s Hospital in New Brunswick.

The Cleft Clinic is part of the Cleft and Craniofacial Program. The program brings together a multidisciplinary team led by craniofacial surgeons with backgrounds in both plastic and ear, nose and throat procedures, as well as clinicians specializing in neurosurgery, anesthesiology, orthodontics, speech-language pathology, audiology, genetics, pediatrics, dentistry, psychology, social work and nursing.

The Cleft Clinic has been approved by the American Cleft Palate and Craniofacial Association (ACPA). ACPA advocates for the highest standards of care for patients with cleft and craniofacial conditions. Achieving ACPA approval signifies that the Rutgers Health Cleft Clinic at BMSCH is committed to providing comprehensive, multidisciplinary treatment. As an ACPA-approved team, the clinic also has access to valuable ACPA resources and is listed on its website as an option for patients and families to consider when seeking care.

Conditions We Treat

• Cleft lip and palate
• Hemifacial microsomia
• Craniosynostosis
• Cruzon syndrome
• Apert syndrome
• Pfeiffer syndrome
• 21Q deletion syndrome
• Treacher Collins syndrome
• Vascular anomalies
• Jaw abnormalities
• Congenital ear deformities

Procedures We Perform

• Cleft lip and palate repair
• Endoscopic craniosynostosis treatment
• Cranial vault remodeling
• Microtia ear reconstruction
• Bone-anchored hearing aid (BAHA) application
• T-tube placement
• Reconstructive jaw surgery
• Midface advancement
• Distraction osteogenesis
• Speech therapy
• Orthodontics
• Comprehensive audiology testing

Our integrated team approach ensures that every patient benefits from a full spectrum of craniofacial care throughout each stage of their development.

Innovation in Surgical Practices and Technology

Our team is dedicated to providing the highest level of state-of-the-art, compassionate care to individuals with craniofacial conditions. We adopt new technologies and surgical methods to improve outcomes for our patients. For example, we:

• Provide early support through prenatal planning
• Employ 3D virtual planning and imaging techniques for surgeries
• Use of 3D-printed surgical guides and fixation plates
• Practice minimally invasive endoscopic treatment for certain conditions

For help choosing a specialist, please call 888-724-7123.