Australian Craniofacial Unit

The Australian Craniofacial Unit is a multi-disciplinary team including craniofacial surgeons, anaesthetists, speech pathologists and nurse consultants who specialise in providing excellence in care for children with complex craniofacial conditions.

The ACFU is based at Women's and Children's Hospital, however the Unit also provides ongoing specialist care into adulthood and for adult trauma patients at the Royal Adelaide Hospital.

The Unit is recognised as a Centre of Excellence by the Australian Health Minister’s Advisory Committee and conducts international education and research in Craniomaxillofacial surgery.

Who we help

Craniofacial surgery is concerned with the treatment of patients with rare and/or complex congenital or acquired anomalies which together affect the head and face.

Many people require treatment and support from birth to adulthood. The Australian Craniofacial Unit treats both children and adults.

The Australian Craniofacial Unit treats people with a wide range of craniofacial disorders such as:

• Distortion of the skull and facial shape (craniosynostosis)
• Cleft lip and palate deformities through to deep facial clefts
• Facial growth anomalies
• Tumours which require removal followed by reconstructive work
• Trauma cases that require reconstruction.

Some conditions are present at birth, while others, such as tumours and malignant growths, may develop in later life.

History of the Australian Craniofacial Unit

The Unit was established in 1975 by Craniofacial Surgeon Professor David David and Neurosurgeon Professor Donald Simpson to provide a service for South Australian, interstate and overseas patients.

Some of the key members of the team also included Mr. Remington Pyne (Ophthalmology), Dr. Don Sweeney (Anaesthetist), and Dr. Vita Luks (Paediatric Dentist).

In September 1988 the Australian Health Ministers' Advisory Council officially designated the Unit a National Centre of Excellence.

last modified: 26 Feb 2020

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