Hypertelorism Correction: What Happens with Growth? Evaluation of a Series of 95 Surgical Cases

This 2012 study in Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, by Daniel Marchac, Shawkat Sati, Dominique Renier, Jordan Deschamps-Braly, and Alexandre Marchac, reviews 95 surgical corrections of hypertelorism (abnormally wide spacing between the eye sockets) performed since 1971 at the Craniofacial Unit of Hôpital Necker Enfants Malades in Paris.

The authors examined outcomes, preferred age at surgery, technique, and whether results held up as children grew. They developed a hypertelorism index to measure orbital position over time; among 28 patients with long-term follow-up, none showed deterioration of their results. The complication rate was 4 percent. The authors concluded that a good initial orbital correction remains good over time and that facial balance improves after growth is complete. The paper reflects Dr. Deschamps-Braly’s craniofacial training in Paris.

Source: Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, 2012