Reconstructive plastic surgery offered pro bono by AAFPRS surgeon Rami Batniji, MD, FACS, recently helped Marvin Torres, a child with a congenital deformity of his nose, overcome bullying at school.

Marvin regularly endured teasing and cruel comments from classmates as a result of the nose deformity. The 7-year-old often returned home from school in tears, confused about why people treated him unkindly. Although his mom, Delia Torres, found him handsome, she understood why her son wanted a nose that looked like his peers.

The answer to this need came after a visit with Rami Batniji, MD, FACS, a facial plastic surgeon and American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery (AAFPRS) member who practices in both Newport Beach and Beverly Hills, Calif. On a pro bono basis, Batniji  performed a rhinoplasty to correct Marvin’s bifid nose.

“When Marvin was being teased, it was hard for him to want to go make friends. After the surgery, he became confident and has made so many good friends,” Delia Torres says. “Dr Batniji has completely changed his life, and every day I look forward to when he comes home from school happy.”

The bifid nose deformity results in a depression in the bridge of the nose, causing a gap between the cartilages forming the tip of the nose. Dr Batniji used Marvin’s ear cartilage to lift the depression and improve the nasal tip appearance. Because the ear cartilage comes from behind the ear through a small incision, the appearance of the ear doesn’t change.

“It is so gratifying for me to be able to see him transform from a shy, introverted young boy to one that is smiling and confident,” Batniji says.

Nasal reconstructions like Marvin’s aren’t rare, according to 2015 stats from the AAFPRS noting that it is the second most-popular reconstructive surgery. Congenital deformities top the list of reasons for undergoing reconstructive surgery.

Marvin Torres had a nasal deformity called a bifid nose.

Marvin Torres had a congenital nasal deformity called a bifid nose, causing a gap between the cartilages forming the tip of the nose.

Here is Marvin following the reconstructive surgery performed to repair the deformity.

Here is Marvin following the reconstructive surgery performed to repair the bifid nose.

The American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery is the world’s largest association of facial plastic and reconstructive surgeons with more than 2,700 members – whose cosmetic and reconstructive surgery focuses on the face, head and neck.

[Source: Kelz PR]