Skeleton First in Surgical Treatment of Facial Disharmony

Purpose: The aim of this study was to correct facial disharmony with or without occlusal dysfunction.

Methods: Based on computed tomography and presurgical design, restoration of normal skeleton relationship is a priority for selected facial deformities. Combination of different osteotomies for facial skeleton was chosen in 1-stage operation such as orthognathic surgery, zygomatic reduction, and mandibular angle reduction. Supplementary surgeries was considered in some cases as substitute implantation or autologous fat graft.

Results: All the 50 patients (hemifacial microsomia, Romberg syndrome, mandibular condyle hyperplasia, secondary cleft palate, and Crouzon syndrome) received surgeries, and their facial appearance improved significantly. Yearly follow-up shows that the symmetry and balance of the facial proportion approach normal, whereas most of their occlusal relationship has been significantly improved after the first stage of surgery.

Conclusions: For most facial disharmony with or without occlusal dysfunction, skeleton-first surgery is a feasible strategy.