Pediatric Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery in St. Louis, MO

Cleft lip and cleft palate are the most common surgical birth defects, occurring in 1 in 600 births nationally. The condition may cause severe facial deformities, feeding problems, speech defects, misaligned teeth, poor growth and hearing problems. SLUCare pediatric plastic surgeons repair even the most complicated cases, which may affect the mouth, nose, gums, and jaws, including speech surgery to improve palate speech function. As part of the at SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Children's Hospital in St. Louis, we take a team approach to care for these young patients, restoring functions such as chewing, breathing and speech, and creating a more normal appearance.

Learn more about the Cleft Palate and Craniomaxillofacial Clinic.

SLUCare plastic surgeons are experts in treating complex conditions of the face, including problems with hard tissues (bone and cartilage) and soft tissues (muscles, fat, skin and nerves).

Soft tissue procedures include treatment of tumors, growths, injuries, or birth differences that may require reconstruction of eyelids, noses, ears, lips or tongue, to improve form and function.

Craniofacial surgery also includes reshaping of the skull, face, and jaws for function and appearance. Our surgeons offer corrective procedures for craniosynostosis, a birth defect in which part of the skull is fused, restricting growth; orbits (the bones around the eyes) in the wrong position; removal of bone tumors; overbite and underbite requiring jaw surgery; and small jaw problems, such as Pierre Robin sequence or obstructive sleep apnea, that may require jaw expansion to improve breathing, feeding, and speech.

The decision to have pediatric plastic surgery, or to wait for more childhood growth, is done with our team of experts at the St. Louis Cleft-Craniofacial Center at SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Children's Hospital.

Children are sometimes born with misshapen chests due to a bone deformity, or one side of their chest may develop poorly over time (Poland syndrome). Pediatric plastic surgeons at SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital in St. Louis work closely with thoracic surgeons to assess and care for children with these unusual problems, both during childhood and in adolescence when abnormal breast development may occur. We use the latest procedures for both breast reconstruction and bone reconstruction, rearranging tissues and muscles, and using tissue expanders and implants to help children enter adulthood with as normal a physique as possible.

Birthmarks and other skin growths are common among children and may take many forms. There are hemangiomas (common birthmarks), lymphangiomas, and venous malformations, which may be contained within the skin or may be larger, affecting deeper tissues. SLUCare pediatric plastic surgeons work closely with other specialists, coordinating care to control or treat vascular anomalies as needed. Treatment varies from observation to oral medications through dermatology, injections through interventional radiology, lasers or surgical resection by pediatric plastic surgeons.

Learn more about birthmarks and vascular lesions.

Scars from injuries, burns, or surgeries can affect more than just appearance, they can impact a child’s confidence and mobility. At SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital, our pediatric plastic surgery team offers personalized care plans to address complex scars with compassion and precision. Whether it’s a raised keloid, a widened surgical scar, or a wound that healed under tension, we are here to help your child heal both physically and emotionally.

From advanced surgical techniques to thoughtful scar management strategies like massage, taping, and sun protection, we guide families through every step of the healing journey. Learn how our complex scar reconstruction team works to improve long-term outcomes and restore comfort and confidence. Every child deserves to feel whole.

Every child’s ears are unique, but sometimes they need a little extra help to look or function their best. At SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital, our pediatric plastic surgery team works with families to create personalized plans for children born with congenital ear differences, like microtia (a small or missing ear) or prominent ears that stick out more than usual.

Whether your child needs help hearing better or simply wants a more natural ear shape, we’re here to guide you through the process. From early consultations to staged surgeries using your child’s own tissue, we focus on safe, long-lasting results. Our team is committed to helping kids feel confident and comfortable in their own skin. Learn more about how are& congenital ear deformities team can support your child’s journey.

Tumors and growths can form in soft tissues such as muscles, fat or skin, or in nerves, such as in neurofibromatosis. In addition, pigmented skin growths, such as moles, can grow to become very large, involving major regions of the body. For all these types of abnormalities, plastic surgeons at SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital in St. Louis use the latest techniques, including lasers and surgical reconstruction, to manage, remove and resurface the affected area, reducing the risk of cancer or other problems later in life.

Learn how the pediatric plastic surgery team at SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital in St. Louis creates individualized care plans to treat congenital lesions of the skin and soft tissue in children.

SLUCare plastic surgeons with SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital in St. Louis use advanced techniques to restore function and repair injured hands, including broken bones, cut tendons, and cut nerves. Children can also be born with hand differences such as fused fingers (syndactyly), extra digits (polydactyly), or missing thumbs, that require reconstruction. Plastic surgeons are specialists in microsurgery, enabling delicate connections of the tiniest vessels and nerves in the body, using high-powered surgical microscopes, for hand, face and extremity reconstruction.