Mobius Syndrome Mobius syndrome is a congenital (birth) deformity where patients are born with facial paralysis on either one or both sides. Facial reanimation of the ability to smile can be performed using muscle transfers (temporalis or gracilis) to help bring emotion to a sometimes emotionless face. Dr. Nicholas Bastidas is a plastic and reconstructive surgeon specializing in the treatment of pediatric and adult craniofacial, cleft and vascular abnormalities. Dr. Bastidas is a leader in craniofacial surgical procedures and serves the Long Island and greater New York region. Call us today at (516) 497-7900. We are looking forward to serving you and your...
Read More » Bell’s Palsy Bell’s palsy is form of facial paralysis related to dysfunction of the facial nerve. Most cases are one-sided (unilateral) and the source is often unknown (idiopathic). It may be associated with lyme disease as well as with the herpes simplex virus. Treatment is aimed at restoration of facial symmetry and regaining the ability to smile. Instances involving paralysis of the eyelid may require placement of a gold weight to help protect the cornea. Dr. Nicholas Bastidas is a plastic and reconstructive surgeon specializing in the treatment of pediatric and adult craniofacial, cleft and vascular abnormalities. Dr. Bastidas is a leader in craniofacial surgical procedures and serves the Long Island and greater New York region. Call us today at (516) 497-7900. We are looking forward to serving you and your...
Read More » Romberg’s Disease Sometimes called Parry-Romberg disease, involves an autoimmune response where the subcutaneous fat of the face wastes away leaving significant contour defects. It is most common in young females, aged 5-15. Treatment strategies are developed in conjunction with a rheumatologist and may involve fat grafting and/or tissue transfer techniques to reconstruct the normal facial contour. Dr. Nicholas Bastidas is a plastic and reconstructive surgeon specializing in the treatment of pediatric and adult craniofacial, cleft and vascular abnormalities. Dr. Bastidas is a leader in craniofacial surgical procedures and serves the Long Island and greater New York region. Call us today at (516) 497-7900. We are looking forward to serving you and your...
Read More » 
Hemifacial Microsomia All faces are inherently asymmetric but severe asymmetry may be the result of hemifacial microsomia (HFM). HFM can be associated with orbit (eye socket), ear (microtia) and jaw malformations (mandible) as well as facial nerve palsy (facial droop). Weakness in the smile on the affected side may also be seen. Branchial clefts or remnants as well as kidney abnormalities may also be commonly associated. Surgical treatment is aimed at each involved structure, typically beginning with removal of remnants after the age of 6 months. Jaw and soft tissue abnormalities may be deferred until your child has reached school-age, around the age of five, to allow for facial growth. OMENS classification Microtia (small or absent ear) Mandible Malformations Type 1 – vertical shortening of mandible, normal TMJ. Treatment orthodontics, mandible surgery (BSSO or distraction) Type 2 Type 3 – complete absence of TMJ Treatment around age 5: Rib Graft followed by mandibular distraction or free fibula bone graft Soft tissue asymmteries are often treated by fat grafting Asymmetries due to nerve palsy can be treated by Botox to the nerves on the normal side Dr. Nicholas Bastidas is a plastic and reconstructive surgeon specializing in the treatment of pediatric and adult craniofacial, cleft and vascular abnormalities. Dr. Bastidas is a leader in craniofacial surgical procedures and serves the Long Island and greater New York region. Call us today at (516) 497-7900. We are looking forward to serving you and your...
Read More » 
Microtia –(small or absent ear) Malformation of the external ear may require complex reconstruction requiring the use of cartilage from the rib. This reconstruction is usually postponed until a minimum age of eight to allow for growth of the rib cage. A new ear framework is sculpted from the cartilages and buried underneath the skin where the new ear is to be created. Approximately three months later the “new ear” is elevated from underneath the skin and grafted to create the “normal” projection. Prosthethics are also available, however, are prone to fall off and degrade requiring expensive replacements. The cartilage sculpted ear is the preferred “permanent” reconstruction recommended by most plastic surgeons and are more resistant to infections than synthetic ears. Dr. Nicholas Bastidas is a plastic and reconstructive surgeon specializing in the treatment of pediatric and adult craniofacial, cleft and vascular abnormalities. Dr. Bastidas is a leader in craniofacial surgical procedures and serves the Long Island and greater New York region. Call us today at (516) 497-7900. We are looking forward to serving you and your...
Read More » 
Congenital Nevus (moles) A congenital nevus, “mole”, “birthmark”, is a nest of pigmented cells called melanocytes located underneath the skin causing a discoloration. A congenital nevus is present at birth and carries a higher rate of possible conversion to the cancer melanoma. Treatment involves either consistent monitoring at least on a yearly basis with your dermatologist or a complete surgical excision by your surgeon. Most can be removed surgically leaving a thin linear scar. In some instances, if very large, excision may require tissue expanders (balloons) placed to stretch the normal skin to reconstruct the area after the excision, or even several excisions (serial excisions) to remove the nevus in its entirety. Dr. Nicholas Bastidas is a plastic and reconstructive surgeon specializing in the treatment of pediatric and adult craniofacial, cleft and vascular abnormalities. Dr. Bastidas is a leader in craniofacial surgical procedures and serves the Long Island and greater New York region. Call us today at (516) 497-7900. We are looking forward to serving you and your...
Read More »
