About 2 months ago Mission Director Leilani Briseno and Dr. Harshbarger traveled to El Salvador to screen potential patients for facial reconstruction. Impressions were made of patients’ teeth to anticipate jaw realignment surgery. A Salvadoran orthodontist referred the patients, and he will do follow up care after we leave. His care makes it possible for us to do the procedure during the short time we are here.
Carlos had a cleft palate and recessed upper jaw that affected not only his appearance, but also his speech and his ability to eat. Doctors Harshbarger and Ong fractured his upper jaw, filled in gaps in his facial bones with artificial bone material, and repositioned the upper jaw to match up with the lower jaw. Carlos’ jaws will be wired together for 6-8 weeks until healed
Carlos with his mom and the PACU team before surgery
Carlos in the recovery room after surgery
