Twenty year experience in maxillocraniofacial surgery. An evaluation of early surgery on growth, function and body image.

We have analyzed 404 patients with a wide variety of maxillary and craniofacial deformities. These do not include head and neck cancer patients as generally defined. Satisfaction has been high as judged by the patients, surgeons and psychiatrists. The complication rate has been significant, approximately 30%, the most common being infection or loss of bone grafts. As experience accumulated, the concept of earlier operative intervention has emerged as an aid in unlocking growth potential, diminishing secondary deformity and improving the development of body image.