For Professionals
Indication-setting overview – interdisciplinary and individual.
The indication for craniofacial procedures is set individually and interdisciplinarily. Decisive are functional aspects (e.g. intracranial pressure, breathing, eye protection, chewing function, speech) and morphological aspects, weighed against effort and risks. This page gives a general overview and does not replace a case-based assessment at a specialist centre.
Functional indications are at the forefront – for example securing breathing, protecting vision, avoiding raised intracranial pressure, and chewing and speech function. Morphological and psychosocial aspects are considered in addition.
The decision is made interdisciplinarily (e.g. neurosurgery, maxillofacial/craniofacial surgery, paediatrics, ENT, ophthalmology, orthodontics, genetics) and weighed up individually.
In acute threat, the emergency or expedited referral route to a specialist centre applies.
The priority of functional indications and interdisciplinary decision-making are widely accepted.
The weighting of individual factors and the specific indication vary by findings, age and centre.
For some constellations there are differing views; the evidence is in part limited.
The indication is set individually and interdisciplinarily, primarily by functional aspects (breathing, intracranial pressure, eye protection, chewing and speech function). A general statement does not replace the case-based assessment.
Particularly with relevant airway obstruction, signs of raised intracranial pressure or threat to vision. Then prompt presentation at a specialist centre is indicated.
Morphological and psychosocial aspects are considered in addition, but rank behind the functional indications. The weighing is done individually.