Chin Surgery For The Chinless – Alan’s Story

Alan Doherty is an unusual teenager. He was borne without a lower jaw. In a normal world such a person would be subjected to a lot of ridicule and second looks and Alan was no exception.

The rare chin condition Alan had is known as otocephaly- a type of cephalic disorder. Cephalic disorders are actually congenital conditions that are the result of damage to or abnormal development of a child’s nervous system.

Throughout his life Alan had to breathe through a tube inserted into his throat and had to communicate via a keyboard. Today, 19-year-old Alan has received treatment for his condition through a chin transplant surgery and is going to receive additional treatment to give him a structured jaw.

This supplement chin surgery is going to be a first of sorts as doctors will be using bones from Alan’s body to construct the new jaw. The youngster will have to undergo a series of surgeries achieve his dream which he hopes will have people staring at him for the right reasons.

I’m amazed at the courage displayed by this teenager and fervently wish that the surgeons working on Alan fulfill his dream.

For reconstructive chin surgery, visit the Plastic Surgery Institute of California.