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Children's Mercy offers one of the longest standing pediatric plastic and reconstructive surgery programs in the United States. Since one of our co-founders, Katherine Berry Richardson, started performing reconstructive surgeries in 1897, our Plastic Surgery program has been instrumental in advancing evidence-based therapies and providing outstanding care to patients and families in the Kansas/Missouri region and across the country.

Our team


Our multidisciplinary team provides more reconstructive and cosmetic procedures than other program in the region. We use a collaborative, patient-centered approach to care that includes specialists in nutrition, dentistry, otorhinolaryngology, occupational therapy, and genetics.

Department highlights

  • We have the largest full-time pediatric plastic surgery program in the U.S.

  • All of our surgeons are fellowship trained, and one surgeon is also double board certified in plastic and oral surgery.

  • Families can preview surgery results through innovative 3D rendering technology.

  • Our surgeons are also trained in multiple subspecialties, including cranio, hand, and microsurgery.

  • Every surgery is attended by a pediatric anesthesiologist who has experience in administering anesthesia precisely for the child's age, size and condition.

  • Patient appointments are accessible at one of four locations (Adele Hall, Children's Mercy Hospital Kansas, Children's Mercy Northland, and Children's Mercy Wichita).

Programs


Our fellowship-trained surgeons provide evaluations and surgical services for children with congenital and developmental anomalies, trauma, and other reconstructive surgical needs. Parents can receive prenatal consultations following an ultrasound diagnosis. Our social workers provide family support and access to community resources. Patients also benefit from an innovative blood conservation program, which greatly reduces the need for blood transfusions during surgery.

Clinical Services

The experienced cleft palate/lip and craniofacial team at Children's Mercy Kansas City treats more patients each year than any other program in a six-state region, including Missouri, Kansas, Iowa, Nebraska, Oklahoma and Arkansas.

The Children’s Mercy JAWS Clinic provides a single point of contact for patients with jaw deformities that often require the expertise of specialty providers from several fields. “JAWS” stands for jaw, airway, and sleep.

With one of the most experienced and largest teams of specialists in the nation, the craniofacial program at Children’s Mercy treats a full range of complex conditions. From craniosynostosis to more rare conditions, we provide care for the whole child from birth into adulthood.

  • Orthodontic Services

  • Reconstructive Surgery

  • Skin Anomalies

Conditions

Stories

Cleft lip and palate: Virginia's story

Cleft lip and palate are just one small part of little Virginia's big personality. Innovative at-home treatment options developed at Children's Mercy helped keep Virginia's progress on track during the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Meet Virginia

Inside Pediatrics: Hallie's story

Newborn Hallie can’t breathe well because her jaw is malformed. Learn how innovative 3D printing technology reduces her time in the operating room.

Pierre Robin sequence: Kaleb's story

Kaleb Ebrecht has Pierre Robin sequence, a genetic condition that causes a small jaw and breathing problems. But thanks to surgery to lengthen his jaw at Children’s Mercy, Kaleb is breathing easy.

Meet Kaleb
A child receives care in the Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery unit at Children's Mercy.

Cleft lip and palate: Joaquin's story

Shao Jiang, MD, pediatric plastic surgeon, repairs Joaquin’s previous cleft lip and palate surgery, which was performed in another country. Dr. Jing’s goal is to reduce scaring and improve function for Joaquin.

Children's Mercy is an American College of Surgeons Verified Center

Highest level of surgical care

Children’s Mercy is one of only 30 locations in the nation to be verified by the American College of Surgeons as a Level 1 Children’s Surgery Center.

Planning for surgery

From free valet parking at the front door to personalized follow-up care during your child’s recovery, we want every aspect of your experience at Children’s Mercy to be beyond your expectations.

Read about how to prepare your child for scheduled surgery, what to expect when you arrive, and resources available while you’re here.

Pediatric anesthesia at Children's Mercy

At Children’s Mercy, a pediatric anesthesiologist is an active member of your child’s care team before, during and after their surgery or procedure.

We administer anesthesia for more than 27,000 kids per year—that’s 74 per day—so our team is experienced at finding just-right doses of medication for kids of all sizes. 

Contact the Plastic Surgery Team


Children's Mercy Plastic Surgery Clinic
(816) 234-3020 

Children's Mercy Vascular Anomalies Clinic
(816) 234-3600

Children's Mercy Cleft Lip and Palate Clinic
(816) 760-5829

 



Children's Mercy Craniofacial Clinic
(816) 760-5829

Children's Mercy Hospital Kansas Plastic Surgery Clinic
(913) 696-8220

Children's Mercy Joplin Plastic Surgery Clinic
(816) 234-3020