Craniofacial microsomia (CFM) is the second most common birth defect of the face after cleft lip and palate. However, studies until now have low patient numbers. Patients with CFM typically have an asymmetrical face due to underdevelopment of one side of the face. They have for instance a smaller and/or abnormal shape of the lower jaw or the ears. This thesis includes the largest phenotypic epidemiology study and surgery study. Furthermore this study gives overview of the major shape changes in 3D instead of the classic 2D analysis. It is the first to describe cranial base changes in 3D within this patient group.
The most important findings were:
1. All patients with CFM should be screened for birth defects outside of the head and neck region.
2. The presentation of craniofacial microsomia is like a spectrum, a continuum of anomalies that coexist in all combinations and degrees of severity.
3. Craniofacial microsomia is never truly unilateral.
4. Nearly 80% of all patients with CFM, regardless of the severity of presentation, will undergo some form of surgery throughout their life.
5. Early surgical correction of lower jaw deformities in patients with CFM is associated with significantly more corrective procedures later in life.

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E.B. Wolvius (Eppo) , M.J. Koudstaal (Maarten)
Erasmus University Rotterdam
hdl.handle.net/1765/119281
Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery

Pluijmers, B. (2019, September 11). On Craniofacial Microsomia shape and surgery. Retrieved from http://hdl.handle.net/1765/119281