Introduction
As facial plastic and reconstructive surgeon, Dr. Scott Thompson and Dr. Douglas Henstrom offer a variety of reconstructive procedures and enjoy helping those concerned with abnormalities of the face, often caused by genetics, trauma, cancer, and facial paralysis. Read more on the following conditions below.
Congenital Deformities
Dr. Thompson also specializes in reconstruction of the face and sees patients with many congenital deformities, such as cleft lip repair & microtia.
Facial Nerve Repair
Dr. Douglas Henstrom of Utah Facial Plastics has a strong passion for complex nerve reconstruction and is known for his expertise in facial nerve repair worldwide. As a Mayo Clinic and Harvard trained board-certified facial plastic and reconstructive surgeon, his combined knowledge of facial aesthetics with underlying anatomy result in life-changing results for individuals with facial paralysis and Bell’s palsy.
Facial Trauma
Nasal fractures are particularly common and an injury that Dr. Thompson is often called upon to manage. Ideally, facial fractures are treated within one to two weeks, but sometimes more involved surgical procedures are required when displaced bones have been allowed to heal.
Mohs Reconstruction
A particularly common problem here in the mountain west is skin cancer. With so many sunny days each year as well as so many opportunities for outdoor enjoyment, it seems that almost everyone has either personal or indirect experience with some form of skin cancer. Reconstruction of facial defects following removal of skin cancers can be a challenging problem, but is something that Dr. Thompson specializes in and greatly enjoys. The pictures on this page are examples of various defects before and following reconstructive procedures. We provide these partly for your education, but also hopefully, as a strong motivator for appropriate skin care and protection.
Mole Removal
Moles come in various sizes, shapes, and colors. While most are benign, certain types are at increased risk for malignant transformation – meaning development of skin cancers such as melanoma. Any significant change in any feature of a mole warrants further investigation and sometimes removal of the mole. If you have a mole that has changed significantly or is exceptionally large, evaluation by Dr. Thompson or a dermatologist can be helpful in determining whether or not a biopsy is warranted. These types of evaluations and procedures are typically covered by insurance.
Scar Revision
Any time there is an incision or cut in the skin, there will be a scar. But many variables can affect the severity of scarring, including the size and depth of the wound, the thickness and color of ones skin, the direction of the scar, location, and the blood supply of the area. While early care and closure in the emergency room is highly important, permanent scarring that results can be difficult to live with and leave one feeling self conscious about their facial appearance. Patients typically seek revision when a scar is wide, red, raised, sunken, or is distorting certain parts of their face, such as the eyes or lips.
Such scars typically result from accidents, burns and injuries but can also come from acne or certain surgical procedures. As dual board-certified facial plastic surgeons, Drs. Henstrom and Thompson are both highly experienced with scar revision in all skin types. By employing an individualized approach to treatment, our surgeons can dramatically improve the appearance of scarring and provide you with an increased level of self-confidence.