Doctors at AIIMS have performed a total facial correction surgery on a 20-year-old youth who suffered facial deformity due to an accident in childhood.
Ajay had a major facial asymmetry because of a problem with jaw joints. The case was reported in January this year.
"He had met with an accident in the childhood that restricted the growth of his jaws on one side causing a severe facial asymmetry. His chin, instead of being at the centre, was skewed to one side and his upper jaw was also not in one level with one side being shorter which gave his face not so pleasing a look.
"He was depressed and could not go out in the society. He did not have friends and people made fun of him," said Dr Ajoy Roychoudhury, Professor and Head, Division of Oral Maxillofacial Surgery at Centre for Dental Education and Research at AIIMS.
Doctors wanted to operate to make his face look normal and did an extensive planning on virtual software for correction of his face.
His entire face was replicated by 3D modeling on a plastic model. The exact surgery which was to be performed for straigtening his face was done on the model to see the final results.
"Once we were satisfied with the final results, the surgery was performed which involved straightening of his upper jaw by means of bone cuttings and bone grafting. Both sides of his lower jaw was made symmetric by means of joint replacements," said Dr Roychoudhury.
The surgery lasted six hours and all the bones were fixed with plates and screws.
"The facial symmetry was immediately visible on the table but then he had to be given four to six weeks for the healing of the bones, cuts and for the soft tissues of the face to take position," he said.
On the seventh day, the patient was discharged and he kept on visiting the hospital for follow ups and periodic reviews.
"I am again smiling. After the surgery, I go out and meet people with confidence. My life has changed," Ajay said.
Maxillofacial injuries can be complex, as they involve the skin and soft tissues and may result in fractures. Acute and long-term psychological problems can result from maxillofacial trauma and disfigurement.
