Pediatric Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery

After Stetson Labelle was born, he spent time in the NICU. It was there that doctors noticed the shape of his head wasn’t right. “Craniosynostosis potentially has impacts on developmentally a child’s cognitive function and in some cases can cause severe differences in head shape that can be stigmatizing,” said Pediatric craniofacial surgeon Dr. David C. Lobb. Mackenzie Labelle, Stetson’s mother, remembers that unsettling feeling. “Very scary at first no one thinks that your baby who isn’t even 2 weeks old yet will have to undergo surgery.” Fortunately, since it was caught early doctors were able to operate on the diseased portion of the bone through a minimally invasive approach. “We basically remove that portion. Reopen the suture that closed early. The other ones continue to grow and now this one can grow and then the helmet helps guide growth from that point to ensure it doesn’t relapse back,” said Dr. Thedore Spinks, Chief of Pediatric Neurosurgery at Golisano Children’s Hospital. While it is a rare condition, its operated on fairly regularly. In the past, patients would have had to leave our area for the procedure, but not anymore. “They’ve been very methodically developing all these programs, so we have not just one offs, but a full cohesive hospital program that helps them take care of these sick kids in a high-quality manor,” said Dr. Spinks. “Being local saved a lot of hardship on the situation,” said Labelle. “Being in this area, we know it. Instead of having to go hours away or even states, anything like that. It was very helpful. A lot more convenient and comfortable.” Stetson is now doing great and will be able to live a totally normal life.