About Pravin K. Patel, MD

I have an active clinic practice in Chicago for mothan than 20 years since 1994. I specialize in the treatment of children with deformities that involve the skull and facial bones (craniofacial and maxillofacial surgery). This includes children with abnormal development of the skull as a result of craniosynostosis (fused skull joints or sutures), abnormal position of the orbits of the eye (hyperteleorbitism), malpositioned jaws (overgrowth and undergrowth of the upper and lower jaw bones), conditions such as hemifacial microsomia, treacher collins and other syndromes, children born with facial clefts (cleft lip and palate). Our patients have access to a well experienced dedicated multidisciplinary team that includes neurosurgery, otolaryngology, ophthalmology, orthodontists, prosthodontists, speech pathologists and psychologists. My research parallels my clinical practice with a focus in improving outcomes, neurodevelopment of children with craniosynostosis, biomechanics of maxillofacial surgery and development of 3D imaging and computer guided surgery. I have more than twenty years experience in treating complicated cleft, craniofacial and jaw problems. Many patients come from throughout the United States and other countries for their surgical reconstruction. Cumulative experience as of 2005 was with over 500+ patients with cleft reconstruction, 500+ craniosynostosis and 750+ patients with various maxillofacial/orthognathic surgical procedures. My practice is focused on pediatric and young adults who need reconstructive surgery. I have significant experience with using 3D cameras and 3D radiologic imaging data capture and analysis, computer guided treatment planning, virtual surgical simulation and intra-operative guidance allows for efficient and more precise intraoperative surgery, minimizing complications, faster recovery and improved outcomes. I studied quantum electrodynamics at Johns Hopkins University, worked as an electrical engineer at IBM, attended Brown University in Neuroscience, and studied medicine at Hahnemann University (now Drexel University College of Medicine). I trained in General Surgery at the Mayo Clinic and Mayo Graduate School of Medicine, was a Research Fellow at University of Chicago and a Plastic Surgery Fellow at Northwestern University. I then completed a Fellowship in specifically in Craniofacial Surgery at University of California at Los Angeles. After a decade of post-graduate surgical training, I returned to Chicago where I have been in practice since 1994.