Surgery of congenital malformations

Due to the success of early diagnostics, the incidence of congenital malformations, such as cleft palate, a split lip, and malformation of facial bones (especially the most severe of them), is steadily declining. The multidisciplinary team of experienced professionals, including a plastic surgeon, an orthodontist (a specialist in maxillofacial surgery), speech therapists, speech pathologists, pediatricians and social workers, work closely together to eliminate the consequences of such defects.

These experts accompany the children and their families at all stages of the child’s development, and strive to provide the necessary professional help in terms of therapy as in terms of socialization in society.

In addition to successful operations to eliminate defects of the palate and lips, the Department of Plastic Surgery at Sheba Hospital has gained vast experience and rich knowledge in the field of reconstructive operations on the ear.

If necessary, the operations are performed in collaboration with ENT- and other specialists. For steady successful outcome of such operations the Department has earned international recognition.

The attending staff

Dr. Batya Yafa- the Head of Upper Extremities Surgery and Microsurgery Department. Specialty: plastic surgery, surgery of the upper extremities, aesthetic surgery.
Dr. Eyal Vinker – the Deputy Head of the Department. Specialty: plastic surgery, reconstructive microsurgery The field of clinical activities: Responsible for the performance of operations for malignant melanoma and sentinel lymph nodes, breast reconstruction, elimination of the defects and asymmetries of the breast.
Mrs. Malka Cohen - a nurse-coordinator for the Breast Health Conservation Clinic.

Methods of work

Accepted methods of breast reconstruction can be divided into two parts, one of which is the use of silicone implants, and the second - using patient’s own tissue from other parts of the body during microsurgical operations.

Choosing the right method of breast reconstruction is always based on the thorough analysis of many factors: whether the required quantity and quality of the skin is available for the operation; the place of postoperative scars, the state of the pectoral muscles, as well as the size and position of the second breast.

During the decision-making, doctors evaluate the size of the removed tumor, general health of the woman after the surgery, needs for additional treatments, degree of body recovery after chemotherapy and, especially, after radiation therapy, since the radiation can cause a significant change in the shape of the breast.

In certain cases, reconstruction of the breast may have already taken place during an operation for the tumor excision. In other situations, we recommend waiting a few months, given that breast reconstruction can be performed even after several years after mastectomy.