Compassionate Pediatric Cleft Palate and Craniofacial Surgery Services in New Jersey
Craniofacial disorders can significantly affect a variety of aspects of a child's life, including feeding, speech development, breathing and appearance. At RWJBarnabas Health, we deliver exceptional care to children needing craniofacial surgery. Our pediatric craniofacial surgery services focus on diagnosing and treating congenital and acquired anomalies of children's craniofacial and skeletal structures, with a special focus on cleft palates.
Using state-of-the-art technology and advanced medical practices, we provide sensitive and compassionate care designed to meet each child's unique needs. We aim to improve functional outcomes and appearance and enhance our patients' psychological and emotional well-being.
We are committed to providing excellent, state-of-the-art, compassionate care close to home.
Our Pediatric Craniofacial Specialists
Our pediatric craniofacial surgery team combines pioneering expertise in surgery and research with a multidisciplinary approach to care. Leading specialists on our team include:
- Pediatricians
- Neurosurgeons
- Orthodontists
- Otolaryngologists
- Plastic surgeons
- Speech therapists
These specialists collaborate to deliver comprehensive treatment for craniofacial conditions. Our multidisciplinary approach helps address the physical aspects of the conditions and improve overall functionality and quality of life for kids.
Our plastic surgeons and a wide array of pediatric specialists provide coordinated care. Our team is dedicated to using the latest advancements in medical science to achieve the best outcomes for your child.
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.
New Jersey Institute for Craniofacial Surgery
Accredited by the American Cleft Palate-Craniofacial Association (ACPA), the New Jersey Institute for Craniofacial Surgery (NJICS) at Cooperman Barnabas Medical Center in Livingston has been at the forefront of numerous pioneering achievements in craniofacial surgery for more than 70 years.
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.
Rutgers Health Cleft and Craniofacial Program
The Rutgers Health Cleft and Craniofacial Program at The Bristol-Myers Squibb Children’s Hospital is a leader in providing comprehensive care for patients with cleft lip, cleft palate and craniofacial anomalies. 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.
Award-Winning and Accredited Pediatric Craniofacial Care
RWJBarnabas Health has earned a multitude of awards and accreditations for quality, pediatric care and pediatric surgery. Our investment in robotic surgery technology and practice has garnered recognition for surgical excellence.
The American College of Surgeons verifies our Pediatric Trauma Center for excellence in surgical care.
The Rutgers Health Cleft and Craniofacial Clinic at RWJBarnabas Health, led by faculty from Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School (RWJMS) and the Bristol-Myers Squibb Children’s Hospital (BMSCH), has been approved by the American Cleft Palate and Craniofacial Association (ACPA) for cleft care. The approval recognizes the center's commitment to multidisciplinary care for children and families afflicted by cleft lip and palate at birth.
The Cleft Clinic is part of BMSCH’s Cleft and Craniofacial Program, a leader in providing comprehensive care for patients with cleft lip, cleft palate and craniofacial anomalies. 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, ophthalmology, social work and nursing.
State-of-the-Art Technology
We use the latest surgical techniques and technologies, ensuring every procedure is precise and cared for. Our facilities are equipped with cutting-edge tools designed for the specific needs of pediatric patients.
Advances in technology have significantly enhanced the precision and outcomes of surgeries in this field. These tools help in planning surgeries with higher accuracy and, in some cases, can minimize the invasiveness of procedures. They include:
- 3D imaging and printing
- Robotic surgery
- Microsurgical techniques
Access to the Latest Medical and Clinical Research
In collaboration with Rutgers Health, our team participates in leading-edge research, enhancing our understanding and treatment of craniofacial conditions.
Diseases and Conditions
RWJBH Pediatric Craniofacial Surgery programs treat a wide range of conditions, including congenital (present at birth) and acquired issues including:
- Cleft lip, a birth defect in which the lip is split rather than developing in a continuous line
- Cleft palate, birth defects in which the roof of the mouth does not close completely during fetal development, leaving an opening that can extend from the front of the mouth (hard palate) to the throat (soft palate)
- Complex craniofacial surgery
- Craniosynostosis, a rare birth defect in which an infant’s skull bones fuse together too early, before the baby’s brain is fully formed
- Craniofacial anomalies that result from genetic disorders
- Facial scarring and trauma
- Jaw (orthognathic) disorders
- Microsurgical tissue transfer
- Soft tissue flaps and grafts
- Vascular anomalies, including hemangiomas and vascular malformations such as strawberry birthmarks and port wine stains
- Velopharyngeal insufficiency (VPI)
Each child receives personalized care designed to address their specific condition and improve their quality of life.
Types of Treatments
We offer a variety of diagnostic and therapeutic procedures to manage and treat craniofacial abnormalities or injuries. Our diagnostic and treatment procedures use the latest advancements in medical technology, ensuring comprehensive care that spans from initial evaluation to complex surgeries and follow-up.
Key procedures include:
- Complex craniofacial surgery. Advanced surgical interventions to correct skull, face and jaw deformities.
- Cleft lip and cleft palate surgery. Surgery to repair birth defects that create gaps or openings in the lip or upper part of the mouth.
- Jaw surgery. Surgeries to correct conditions of the jaw and face related to structure, growth, sleep apnea, temporomandibular joint dysfunction (TMJ) disorders or other orthodontic problems that cannot be easily treated with braces.
- Plastic surgery. Includes reconstructive and cosmetic surgeries to correct and improve the function and appearance of facial and body structures.
- Speech therapy. Addresses issues such as velopharyngeal insufficiency and other speech-related issues resulting from craniofacial anomalies.
These treatments are supported by a team approach involving multiple specialties to ensure comprehensive care. These specialties include otolaryngology, neurosurgery, dentistry/orthodontics, ophthalmology and more.
Family-Focused Care
When you turn to us for your child's craniofacial surgery needs, you are choosing a vast health care system that is compassionate and family-focused. Our approach sets us apart from other New Jersey pediatric health care providers.
For children who require surgery, Child Life specialists are available as a comforting and informed resource for your family. They can tell your child what they can expect during their hospital stay and help make it a more positive experience. Child Life services also serve the family with education and support.
Consult a Specialist Today
Surgery on a child's head or face requires expertise and sensitivity. To meet the diverse needs of children who need facial surgery, we've assembled a comprehensive, multidisciplinary team that includes experts in pediatrics, neurosurgery, genetics, speech therapy, pediatric dentistry, plastic surgery and more.
Our approach is centered on providing timely and advanced care tailored to the evolving needs of growing children. By integrating cutting-edge surgical techniques with a range of supportive therapies, we aim to meet and exceed the developmental expectations of each child we serve.
