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PLASTIC SURGERY
CENTER
Diagnosed with hemifacial
microsomia,
treated with distraction
osteogenesis surgery
When Ashlynn turned 3, she let her
mother know she was aware she looked different from other children.
Ashlynn had a congenital deformity called hemifacial microsomia, or
an underdeveloped lower jaw, that became more obvious as her face
grew.
Although Ashlynn could speak, she
drooled constantly, wore bibs and had trouble eating and drinking.
Having heard about Texas Children’s
Plastic Surgery Center,
Ashlynn's parents scheduled a visit for their daughter. After an
initial assessment, they were referred to two of the department’s
craniofacial specialists,
Dr. Larry Hollier and
Dr. Terry Taylor, who recommended a surgical procedure called
distraction osteogenesis. The procedure would restore her lower jaw
to a normal position, improve the function of her mouth and enhance
her appearance.
“It helped so much when the doctors
described how Ashlynn would look after the surgery,” said Candy.
“They explained the procedure in detail to us; we knew exactly what
to expect.”
Just days after her fourth birthday,
Ashlynn had
distraction
osteogenesis surgery, during which Hollier and Taylor
attached a device to the child’s lower jaw that would gradually coax
the bone to move forward.
Ashlynn had little trouble
accommodating to the daily adjustments at home, and progress was
evident within the first month of treatment. When the device was
removed after three and a half months, she was well on her way to
improved function and an enhanced appearance that will last her a
lifetime.
With her newly matching jaws, Ashlynn
no longer drools or has to wear bibs. And her lips are able to stay
together.
“I’ll never forget the day Ashlynn’s
jaws matched so well that she could give me a kiss for the first
time,” recalls Candy.
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distraction osteogenesis
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