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At the Maxillofacial Surgery Unit at SJD Barcelona Children's Hospital we resolve malformations and other oral and jaw-related problems in paediatric patients by using precise and innovative techniques.
The Maxillofacial Surgery Unit at SJD Barcelona Children's Hospital is known for its numerous surgical techniques and innovation in 3D surgery. We treat congenital and acquired facial pathologies, such as dentofacial and mandibular deformities, which affect the health and wellbeing of paediatric patients.
Among other techniques, we perform orthognathic surgery operations, mandibular distraction, craniofacial surgery and correction of lip and palate cleft. We do all this taking into account the stage of development of the patients, both children and adolescents, for the purpose of finding the best treatment for each case and applying it at the appropriate time.
Why SJD Barcelona Children's Hospital?
We can offer solutions to complex cases (for example severe malformations) thanks to the application of high surgical precision technology. The 3D technology planning of surgeries allows to reduce the time of entry and achieve more predictable results. Our treatments and techniques are adapted to the stage of development and growth of our patients in order to achieve the best results.
Among the patients we treat are those that suffer from severe malformations and other congenital or growth deformities, which we correct using sophisticated surgical techniques that are tailored to each individual.
Thanks to 3D virtual surgery we can study the most suitable operation for each case and use tailored devices that allow for greater surgical precision and let us simulate the operation before admission to surgery. This ensures that the results are more predictable, operations are shorter and the recovery time is quicker, as well as reducing possible complications. The average admission time is between 24 and 48 hours if the patient progresses positively.
The Maxillofacial Surgery Unit, together with the orthodontic specialists, assesses the appropriate treatment for each patient. Combining consultations allows us to coordinate the specialists, improve the quality of the treatment and the prognosis and save families time.
The growth of paediatric patients means we need to adapt to each stage of development and teething in order to find the best solution according to each child and adolescent's type of malformation and pathology. There are surgeries and treatments specifically indicated for certain stages of growth. If they are implemented at the right time, optimum results can be achieved.
We use various types of treatment to prevent and avoid the progression of mandibular growth problems. We perform intra-articular infiltrations, arthrocentesis and arthroscopies on patients with juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) affecting the temporomandibular joint (TMJ). SJD Barcelona Children's Hospital is a leader is treating this pathology.
Team work and multidisciplinary units are essential in offering patients the best treatment. In Maxillofacial Surgery Unit we work very closely with a number of other departments and units, including Dentistry and Orthodontics, Paediatric Plastic Surgery, Neurosurgery and Otorhinolaryngology. This collaboration enables us to respond better to more complex cases.
Our experience
Our professionals
The Maxillofacial Surgery Unit, one of Spain's leading centres, is managed by Josep Rubio, a specialist in Paediatric Maxillofacial Surgery, who works closely with other departments and units of the Hospital in order to reach the best possible solution for each patient.
The team at SJD Barcelona Children's Hospital is a national leader in certain surgical procedures and treatments. There are several maxillofacial surgery procedures that are performed depending on the disease or malformation and each patient's stage of growth.
What is Paediatric Maxillofacial Surgery?
This surgical speciality, also called oral, craniomaxillofacial or mandibular surgery, is focused on the treatment and correction of benign and malignant pathologies of the face, neck and mouth, involving both soft tissue and bone. At the Sant Joan de Déu Hospital, techniques are applied and surgeries are planned, adapting them to children, specifically to their development and dentition, in order to try to improve the functional and aesthetic result of each patient.
The use of advanced technology and our background in this field enables us to treat various types of malformation, such as consequences of the lip and palate cleft, traumas (mandibular, maxillary and cheekbone fractures) and oncological diseases affecting the jaw or tongue.
When necessary, surgery is used together with the reconstruction of the affected area. We rely on specific protocols for maxillofacial surgery which enable us to reduce operating times and the average hospital stay, meaning the patient is able to recover at home. We are leaders in virtual surgery and 3D planning, with publications in specialist journals and presentations at national and international conferences.
Research
In the field of research, SJD Barcelona Children's Hospital shares knowledge with other local and international specialists, giving courses on managing patients with lip and palate cleft.
We also study new 3D surgery techniques for surgical planning, specifically focusing on the design of surgical guides and the use of new materials. Our aim is to contribute towards improving the health of children by using new tools that enable us to obtain the best results and the fastest possible recovery.
Teaching
The Maxillofacial Surgery Unit crew is involved in teaching at the universities and on the courses listed below:
- Teaching in Oral and Preventive Medicine Department for the Degree in Odontology at UIC Barcelona. Since 2016.
- Oral and Maxillofacial Medicine subject for the Odontology Degree at UIC Barcelona. Years 2015 - 2016.
- Collaboration in the Master's Degree of Oral Implants at UIC Barcelona. Years 2010 - 2011.
- Specialist course on Comprehensive Management of Cleft Lip/Palate Patients (CLEFT Barcelona) with live operations.
We work to offer new techniques for 3D surgery for planning and we investigate in the design of new guides and materials. We are linked to the Surgery Service and we participate in teaching activity related to the speciality.
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