What Procedures Do I Need To Improve My Facial Asymmetry?

Q:  Dear Dr. Eppley, I was born with a condition known as right hemifacial atrophy, also known as Romberg’s syndrome. I was operated on two years ago with corrective orthognathic surgery. Both my upper and lower jaws were cut, leveled and my bite put back together. The result is good but I still have some right facial asymmetry. I want to reshape my right cheek bone, nose and orbital region. I would appreciate if you can give me some advice on what procedures I need. I have attached some pictures and x-rays from my surgery.

A: Thank you for sending your pictures. You have made good improvement from your orthognathic surgery. To further improve your hemifacial hypoplasia/asymmetry, I would recommend the following right-sided facial reshaping/augmentation procedures:

 1) Right orbital floor-infraorbital rim implant

2) Right lateral canthoplasty

3) Right cheek implant

4) Rhinoplasty

5) Right jaw angle implant

6) Opening wedge genioplasty (right side lengthening) – I was little surprised they did not do this during your orthognathic surgery

This would be my optimal plan to address all of your right facial issues. While all of these procedures do is to lengthen and expand the shorter right side of your face. I think you would get as good, if not even better, aesthetic improvement than you have had from your prior orthognathic surgery.

Dr. Barry Eppley

Indianapolis, Indiana