Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
Children’s Mercy offers one of the longest standing pediatric plastic and reconstructive surgery programs in the Midwest region. Since one of our co-founders, Katharine Berry Richardson, started performing reconstructive surgeries in 1897, our Plastic Surgery program has been providing outstanding care and the latest treatments to patients and families in Kansas, Missouri and across the country.
Our team
Our team includes many different types of pediatric specialists who all work together with you to create a care plan for your child. We provide more reconstructive and cosmetic procedures than any other program in the region. You can expect a collaborative, patient-centered approach to care that considers all aspects of your child’s needs.
Department highlights
Trusted experience
- We have the largest full-time pediatric plastic surgery program in the Midwest and offer services in both Kansas and Missouri.
- Every surgery is attended by a pediatric anesthesiologist who has experience in administering precise doses of anesthesia that are just right for your child's age, size and condition.
- All of our plastic surgeons are fellowship trained and either board certified or board eligible.
- Our plastic surgeons are also trained in multiple subspecialties, including craniofacial, hand and microsurgery.
- Both our Cleft Palate Program and Craniofacial Program are approved programs of the American Cleft Palate Craniofacial Association.
Unique offerings
- We are the only pediatric plastic surgery program in the region to have a full-time, fellowship trained, board certified, pediatric craniofacial orthodontist and full-time, fellowship trained, board certified/eligible, pediatric neurosurgeons to provided craniofacial services.
- All of our full-time plastic surgeons focus exclusively on pediatric patients.
Convenience for your family
- We pride ourselves in practicing comprehensive care, where your child can meet with our entire team of specialists in one place at the same visit.
- Families can preview surgery results through innovative 3D rendering technology.
- In-person appointments are available at one of three locations (Adele Hall, Children’s Mercy Kansas and Children’s Mercy Northland).
- Telemedicine appointments also available for some visits.
Foundational practices
Surgery – Our surgeons and advanced practice providers take care of evaluations and surgical services for children with congenital and developmental anomalies, trauma and other reconstructive surgical needs.
Prenatal consultations – You can meet with us to receive prenatal consultations following an ultrasound diagnosis.
Family support – Our social workers and team coordinator provide family support and access to community resources.
Blood conservation program – Your child may also benefit from an innovative blood conservation program, which greatly reduces the need for blood transfusions during surgery.
Research – Families may have opportunities to participate in clinical research, including our first-of-its-kind Genomic Answers for Kids program.
Clinical Services
The experienced cleft palate/lip and craniofacial team at Children's Mercy Kansas City treats more patients each year than any other program in a six-state region, including Missouri, Kansas, Iowa, Nebraska, Oklahoma and Arkansas.
The Children’s Mercy JAWS Clinic provides a single point of contact for patients with jaw deformities that often require the expertise of specialty providers from several fields.
With one of the most experienced and largest teams of specialists in the nation, the craniofacial program at Children’s Mercy treats a full range of complex conditions. From craniosynostosis to more rare conditions, we provide care for the whole child from birth into adulthood.
Conditions
- Abnormal head shape
- Plagiocephaly
- Craniosynostosis
- Breast reduction (patients under 18 years old)/Gynecomastia
- Cleft lip/palate
- Facial fractures
- Hand fractures
- Jaw, Airway, Sleep (JAWS)
- Missing/deformed ears
- Nasal fractures/deviated septum
- Other facial differences
- Skin anomalies
- Cyst/Mass
- Moles
- Lesions
- Scars
- Lacerations
- Special Considerations
- Warts and molluscum refer first to Dermatology
- Lip ties require referral from a primary care provider
Stories
Plastic Surgery and Neurosurgery teams work together to create plans for every child with craniofacial differences.
Geneva is a one-of-a-kind 2-year-old who radiates joy and has a huge personality. Although her head shape was a little different from most kids due to early closure of one part of her skull, she has now fully recovered from her corrective surgery and is back to giving her parents a hard time!
Innovative Surgeries at Children’s Mercy Kansas City Relieve Teen Athlete’s Chronic Pain
High school athletes are no strangers to the pain and injury that can come with intense competition. But when 16-year-old Braedon had ongoing neck and shoulder pain that was so severe he couldn’t sleep at night, he and his mom, Terrah, began a search for answers that would end in a series of first-of-their-kind surgeries at Children’s Mercy Kansas City.
Cleft lip and palate: Joaquin's story
Shao Jiang, MD, pediatric plastic surgeon, repairs Joaquin’s previous cleft lip and palate surgery, which was performed in another country. Dr. Jiang’s goal is to reduce scarring and improve function for Joaquin.
Highest level of surgical care
Children’s Mercy is one of only 53 centers in the nation to be verified as a Level 1 Children’s Surgery Center — the highest possible rating — by the American College of Surgeons. This verification means Children's Mercy meets the highest standards for safety and outcomes determined by the American College of Surgeons. Our surgical care is designed to manage routine to highly complex illnesses. We also have experts in every pediatric specialty ready to go at all times to provide comprehensive care for kids.
Planning for surgery
From free valet parking at the front door to personalized follow-up care during your child’s recovery, we want every aspect of your experience at Children’s Mercy to be beyond your expectations.
Read about how to prepare your child for scheduled surgery, what to expect when you arrive, and resources available while you’re here.
Pediatric anesthesia at Children's Mercy
At Children’s Mercy, a pediatric anesthesiologist is an active member of your child’s care team before, during and after their surgery or procedure.
We administer anesthesia for more than 27,000 kids per year—that’s 74 per day—so our team is experienced at finding just-right doses of medication for kids of all sizes.
Contact the Plastic Surgery Team
Children's Mercy Plastic Surgery Clinic
(816) 234-3020
Children's Mercy Cleft Lip and Palate Clinic
(816) 760-5829
Children's Mercy Craniofacial Clinic
(816) 234-3020
Children's Mercy Hospital Kansas Plastic Surgery Clinic
(816) 234-3020