SUMMARY
Uldis Bite, M.D., focuses on craniofacial surgery in children and adults. The areas of focus include:
- Craniosynostosis.
- Orbital deviations.
- Fibrous dysplasia.
- Hemifacial atrophy.
- Post-traumatic irregularities.
Dr. Bite uses computer imaging to quantitatively analyze the skull and facial structures that result from these conditions. He also assesses the postoperative outcomes after surgical reconstruction has been evaluated. Dr. Bite studies computer simulation of craniofacial surgical reconstructive procedures to facilitate surgery and improve outcomes.
He focuses on the improvement of scars, management of naso-oral fistulas, and the maximization of speech and nasal reconstruction in children who have cleft lips and palates.
Focus areas
- Quantitative analysis of craniofacial irregularities. Dr. Bite uses quantitative computer techniques for patient imaging, such as computerized tomography scans, magnetic resonance imaging, high-resolution ultrasound and 3D photography, to analyze craniofacial structures.
- Preoperative computer simulation. Dr. Bite uses complex craniofacial reconstructions from patient imaging, including the 3D printing of life-size sterilizable models, to use later during the reconstructive surgical procedure.
- Analysis of outcome data. Dr. Bite uses data from Mayo Clinic's comprehensive multidisciplinary Cleft and Craniofacial Clinic to study outcomes in children with cleft lips and palates. These data help in finding strategies to improve surgical outcomes for both children and adults. Data extends four decades into the past with follow-up, in most, extending into adulthood.
Significance to patient care
Dr. Bite's research may improve the surgical procedures used to correct complex structural conditions of the face and skull by quantifying outcomes. Dr. Bite's research on quantitative analysis may improve the surgical procedures used to correct complex craniofacial irregularities. These are structural conditions of the face and skull. Dr. Brite's research gives surgeons a way to quantify outcomes based on objective data. Today, surgeons assess results subjectively with 2D photographs. So, it is hard to make rational decisions about which surgical procedures have a better outcome. Surgical simulation before surgery shortens the operating time and decreases the rate of surgical complications, which are increased with additional operating time. Surgical simulation, before surgery, allows the surgeon to be better prepared and the results are improved and more predictable.
The analysis of data from the cleft clinic allows for better surgical outcomes in children born with clefts of the lip and palate. These better outcomes are not only in appearance but in speech, dental and occlusal results, and psychological and social outcomes.