Dr. Konstantinos Alexandrou

Treatment of craniofacial anomalies and facial clefts [Round Table]

Patients with craniofacial anomalies and facial clefts require dental, orthodontic and surgery services as a direct result of the medical condition and as an integral part of the habilitation process. Treatment often takes place in phases which may include treatment in infancy, the primary dentition, the transitional dentition and the permanent dentition. The skeletal and dental components should therefore be regularly evaluated to see if a skeletal asymmetry and malocclusion is present or developing. Diagnosis and treatment planning requires a variety of diagnostic records as well as clinical examination. Records are obtained in a serial fashion to monitor dentofacial growth and development as well as the results of ongoing treatment.

Associated problems with craniofacial anomalies and clefts may be: a. dental (missing or supernumerary teeth, peg-shaped, malpositioned, lack of bone support), b. skeletal (maxillary/mandibular deficiency, asymmetry), c. feeding (sucking, swallowing) , d. hearing (recurrent ear infections, middle ear built-up, hearing loss) , e. speech (hypernasality, hyponasality, articulation, resonance) and f. emotional and social issues (low self-confidence, peers teasing, over-estimations of diversity).

An organized craniofacial team based on guidelines from the American Cleft Palate-Craniofacial Association (ACPA) and Cleft Palate Foundation (CPF) is the most appropriate to provide coordinated treatment and care in a consistent manner. The individuals on team are: team coordinator, plastic surgeon, maxillofacial surgeon, orthodontist, speech and language pathologist, dentist, psychologist, social worker, geneticist, otolaryngologist, primary care specialist, audiologist and nurse.

Several craniofacial and cleft cases are presented from the surgical, orthodontic and dental standpoint.

Short Curriculum Vitae

Konstantinos Alexandrou received his degree in 1985 from the Medical School of Athens. He then trained in General Surgery in three well-known Greek hospitals in the public and private sectors.

His training in Plastic Surgery followed, when in 1992 he was awarded a four-year scholarship by the Japanese Ministry of Education. At Kagawa University, Japan he specialized in Congenital Malformations (such as cleft lip/palate, and microtia), Reconstructive Microsurgery, and Asian Cosmetic Surgery (upper/lower eyelids, rhinoplasty, and otoplasty).

Dr. Alexander’s scientific journey continued in the USA when in 1996 he accepted a Craniofacial Surgery Fellowship offer from Professor Joe McCarthy at New York University. There, he completed specialized training in areas such as the management of craniofacial deformities and orthognathic surgery, with extensive application to cosmetic surgery.

During his stay in the United States Dr. Alexandrou trained at numerous prestigious medical institutions including Tisch Hospital, Bellevue Hospital, and Manhattan Eye Ear and Throat in New York. Particular emphasis was placed on techniques of wrinkle plastic surgery (lifting), rhinoplasty, abdominoplasty, liposuction, breast augmentation/reduction and reconstruction.

After returning to Greece, he started his career at the Greek Craniofacial Center under the guidance and support of his mentor, Dr. Alexandrou Stratoudakis.

Today, Dr. Alexandrou continues his activities with an emphasis on aesthetic and craniofacial surgery. The operations are performed in collaboration with distinguished hospitals in Greece.

Dr. Alexandrou is particularly known for his understanding of the unique, individual needs of each patient which, combined with the meticulous and thorough care provided to each client, results in a very natural appearance.

He has also contributed to a large number of scientific studies, presentations and lectures, as well as articles that have been published in Greece and abroad.