Maxillofacial surgery

Virtus is the only clinic in Ukraine in which not only the patient’s own bone tissue, but also titanium structures are used to replace defects in the bones of the facial skeleton during reconstructive operations.

The reception of patients is conducted by a doctor of the highest category, a dentist, a maxillofacial surgeon Vasily Anatolyevich Rybak (20 years of professional experience). Vasily Anatolyevich is a member of the Association of Osteosynthesis of the Maxillofacial Region (AOCMF), vice-president of the German Association of Oral Implantologists (DGOI) and author of more than 20 scientific papers.

Indications and contraindications for surgery in the maxillofacial area

It is necessary sign for the maxillofacial surgeon appointment in cases of:

• fracture of the upper or lower jaw, zygomatic bone or other injuries, as well as acute inflammatory process (abscesses, boils, carbuncles)
• the presence of the face or neck neoplasms
• sleep apnea syndrome (short-term respiratory arrest during sleep, snoring)
• inflammation of the salivary glands
• gum pain accompanied by edema
• preparation for dental implantation
• the need to remove complex wisdom teeth (incorrectly or not fully erupted)
• pain in the tooth, which can shoot up in the ear
• the presence of chin defects (very small or too pronounced)
• fracture, tooth dislocation
• congenital defects — cleft upper lip and palate (“cleft lip”, “cleft palate”)
• post-burn scar deformities of the face and neck

Contraindications to surgery in the maxillofacial region are divided into relative and absolute. Their list in each specific case is determined by the surgeon individually.

What does a maxillofacial surgeon do?

• Treatment of diseases of the temporomandibular joint
• Treatment of diseases of the maxillary sinuses
• Treatment of diseases of large and small salivary glands
• Bone grafting of the maxillofacial region
• Traumatology of the maxillofacial region
• Cheiloplasty — surgical lip plastic surgery
• Genioplasty (mentoplasty) – chin plastic surgery
• Plastic surgery of cheekbones and ears
• Preparation for maxillofacial area surgery

Preparation for the surgery of the maxillofacial area begins with an appointment with a maxillofacial surgeon

Then, the patient undergoes a standard preoperative examination to assess the general state of health and identify possible contraindications for the operation. There is also a consultation with anesthesiologist.

Stages and methods of maxillofacial surgery

The stages of maxillofacial operations differ depending on the type of surgical intervention. Approximate algorithm of maxillofacial surgery:

1. Anesthesia (general anesthesia).
2. Creating access. When a neoplasm is removed, for example, in the maxillary sinus, after the tumor is isolated, the blood vessels feeding it are ligated. Then the tumor is removed, and the blood supply to local tissues is restored. When replacing defects in the bones of the facial skeleton, two teams of surgeons work simultaneously. While one is preparing the defect zone, the second extracts a block from the pelvic bone and makes a graft of the right size and shape from it. Then the structure is inserted and fixed.
3. The incision is sutured. If necessary, a bandage is applied on top.
   The duration of maxillofacial surgery depends on the type and volume of surgical intervention. After the operation, the patient is taken to the postoperative observation ward.

What will happen without surgery

If you do not perform surgery for inflammatory diseases of the maxillofacial system, the infection will spread to nearby tissues. Sinusitis can lead to such dangerous complications as meningitis (inflammation of the brain membranes), otitis media (inflammation of the outer or middle ear) and other pathologies.