Elle’s Story

Site created on July 24, 2023

Elle was born with a rare condition called hemifacial microsomia. The left side of her mandible didn't completely form, leaving her jaw severely recessed on one side.  Along with a malformed palate and missing facial nerves, this created a very difficult airway and impacted speech and swallowing as well.  Luckily, a surgical procedure called distraction allows the doctors to extend the mandible to play catch up as the right side grows.  Throughout Elle's childhood she has undergone 19 separate surgeries including several distractions, feeding tube placement, tissue grafts, etc.  Fast forward to 2023 and she is a thriving 18 year old that now faces the final realignment surgeries to complete her medical journey.  


- Step 1 is to create a jaw joint on the left side.  DONE!  On 7/27/23, Dr. Hopper removed a section of Elle's mandible and used cartilage to fill in the gap so that the bone can flex, simulating a joint.  He implanted a distractor device to hold her jaw in place until she healed enough to remove it on 8/30/23.  She will undergo a year of physical therapy to stretch the muscles and tendons to improve her mouth opening.


- Step 2 is orthodontics and tooth implants, which she will continue for the next two years.


- Step 3 is the final alignment surgery where the doctors will detach her upper and lower jaws from the skull base and do a full craniofacial reconstruction to bring everything into perfect alignment.  This will likely occur in the summer of 2025.


Despite the challenges she has faced, Elle has blown away every barrier in her path and shown incredible strength, courage and resilience.  Doernbecher Hospital ran a feature story on her in 2019 called "A Life Without Limits" and that is exactly what she has exemplified.  (https://ohsufoundation.org/stories/a-life-without-limits)  We cannot be more proud of our sweet, brave girl and we are so very thankful for the tremendous support network of friends and family.  Thank you for visiting her Caring Bridge page and please feel free to leave her a message!

Newest Update

8/30/23 - Post Op

Journal entry by Angela Fischer —

Elle’s surgery was a success today and she is thrilled to be rid of the hardware. She opted to brave the long ride home tonight while the numbness and major pain meds were still in effect and we made it safe and sound. Her doctor is very encouraged by the stability of her jaw and is optimistic that the procedure will be a good long-term solution to simulate a jaw joint. Now the focus shifts to PT for continued stretching and orthodontics. We are so happy to have our sweet girl home and resting. Thank you for all of the well wishes and messages of encouragement! ❤️
Read More of the journal titled "8/30/23 - Post Op"
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