Facial Plastic Surgery in Children with Down Syndrome

Abstract

Introduction: Down syndrome comprises varying degrees of mental retardation and a number of characteristic facial features. Because these patients present problems in their social, occupational and educational life, solutions have been sought to make these children socially useful individuals. This work shows the results obtained in 22 patients with this syndrome who were surgically treated to correct their facial stigmata.

Objective: To show the functional changes and aesthetic advantages obtained with facial plastic surgery in patients with Down syndrome.

Methods: A number of 22 patients with Down syndrome aged 3 to 14 years were chosen, in the period from 1986 to January 2019. The first 15 cases attended in the plastic surgery service of Hospital Pediátrico Docente William Soler were included; later, others attended in other national health centers. The surgical procedures performed for the correction of facial stigmata were partial glossectomy, lateral canthoplasty, medial canthoplasty, and otoplasty.

Results: Aesthetic and functional changes were favorable, improving appearance and eliminating unattractive features. Positive changes in speech and breathing were obtained. Glossectomy and otoplasty were performed in 100% of cases.

Conclusions: All operated-on patients attenuated their facial stigmata, while respiratory benefits and speech improvement were reported. The degree of satisfaction of their parents was good.