The Institute was founded in 1957 as an international center for patient care, education and research in plastic surgery. The facility consists of surgeons with distinct areas of expertise within the diverse field of plastic surgery including esthetic or cosmetic surgery, reconstructive facial surgery, microsurgery, and hand and extremity surgery. Within the Institute, the Variety Center for Craniofacial Rehabilitation is dedicated to the diagnosis and treatment of various facial deformities. Specialized multidisciplinary programs also exist for patients with the following disorders: deformities of the jaw and teeth, cleft lip and palate, ear defects, hemangiomas and vascular malformations, facial paralysis, facial bone fractures, and ophthalmic plastic deformities.

What do we do?

The treatment of these disorders requires the services of experts from multiple medical specialties or disciplines. Consequently, the patient care at the Institute is multidisciplinary. Your first visit to the Institute typically involves attending a conference to evaluate your child's problem. While the conference format may seem confusing, it has the enormous advantage of bringing together, at one time, all the specialists who will be involved in your care. In reality, it is more efficient than your having to make several visits, going from one office to another, until you have seen the necessary members of the team. You or your child may also need to have x-rays and medical photographs. We recommend that you allow several hours for your first visit. After you have been seen in the conference, one of the doctors will sit down and speak with you individually. We are committed to making your visit informative and efficiently. By the time you leave you should feel that all of your questions have been answered. We are all here to help you and we welcome your comments.

To make arrangements to have your child seen at one of the Institute's patient care conferences you can call Patricia Chibbaro, CPNP, Pediatric Nurse practitioner. Mrs. Chibbaro can be reached at (212) 263-5205 or you can e-mail her at: patricia.chibbaro@med.nyu.edu. Mrs. Chibbaro will direct you to the appropriate team secretary to make an appointment.

Can we speak to other families whose children have a similar condition?

Yes, our psychosocial team can help network you with another family whose child has a similar medical condition. We can also refer you to Forward Face (the support group/charity for children with craniofacial conditions) at (212) 684-5860. This organization provides comprehensive support services to our patients and their families and this includes networking with other families who have shared a similar experience.

Will my child need more than one surgery?

The interdisciplinary team evaluates each child's condition individually. A treatment plan is developed which includes staged surgical intervention if needed. The plan is discussed and re-evaluated on a regular basis by the team and their recommendations are shared with you, and all your questions will be answered. Children are followed into adulthood by the interdisciplinary team.

Some More Frequently Asked Questions (by subject)