J Skirko, MD, MPH

08/04/2022

Dr. St. Peter doing a job running the Sonopet during our double jaw surgery for a teenager with a cleft lip and palate

Training residents to be outstanding Otolaryngologisys is one of the benefits of working at a place like . If you don't follow the dept, check em out

06/26/2022

The Saguaro is one of the most recognized Cactus out there. It's even the Cactus emoji!🌵 

They don't all look the same though. This Crested or Cristate variant is rare but you see them periodically here in the Sonoran Desert. 

They are different but beautiful and unique. 

Seek out the beauty in others differences. 

 
 
 

06/16/2022

Did you know that kids with a cleft lip (with or without a cleft palate) are at risk for the upper jaw not growing normally?  This causes and Overbite (or Class 3 malocclusion)  

This is corrected with a LeFort Advancement. Big surgery for a big problem. It's often the first step when kids become adults because you need to do it before the Definitive rhinoplasty (foundation fixed before the roof..)  and if still having speech problems, pulling the palate forward can worsen it. 

How do you think it turned out?  More pics on the how to get good outcomes later! Swipe for a sneak peak and stay tuned!

Did you know the risk is higher in kids with a (I did a cool study showing this..)😎 

 
 
   
 

 

 
just south of  

05/17/2022

Did you see the moon last night? It was crazy big.

Which do you like more?

04/16/2022

Keloid Ear Recon
A keloid is a mass growing out from a scar. It destroys surrounding tissue as it grows.

Excising a Keloid isn't that hard. Reconstructing the defect definitely can be. This one required credentials resection between the helical rim and antihelix. If you resect to little, the ear folds funny. To much and you have a micro ear (or nano ear?)

Little extra time on the table to get it right is time worth spending.

💬 Comment if you know what the Scappoose and triangular fossa are. Or if you gotta thing for ears









just south of

04/09/2022

Check out this

Trying to figure out how to get Instagram 'Reels' to share here. I know, I'm an ol' timer. Eventually I'll figure it out...

Bilateral cleft lips always are a balance between the lip and central nose (columella). The lip slowly stretch after repair, the columella not so much.

I think Nasolabial molding helps before surgery
And massage after

What did you do to help?

How do you think it turned out?








just south of

investdiva • Original Audio

04/03/2022

Which is your favorite Barrel Cactus?
Golden or Fire?

Vote with a comment!

Yes, you can learn about more than cleft and craniofacial care by hanging out with me. 😁

It's an adventure living in the

04/02/2022

⚠️ Requisite Wing Pic ⚠️

It's against the rules to travel and not post a picture of the wing

But the mountains surrounding Tucson sure are photogenic. 

Fort Worth was great, but glad to be back in the Sonoran Desert!

04/02/2022

Was excited to see representing the Thrive campaign for association!

Dr. McCrary was awarded the Samuel Berkowitz Longterm Outcomes Award for our work showing an "Increased Risk of Velopharyngeal Insufficiency in Patients Undergoing Staged Palate Repair"

Donate to Thrive at https://acpa-cpf.org









just south of

03/31/2022

Each spring, cleft lip and palate experts from across the country and around the globe meet at the ACPA meeting to discuss advances in caring for our patients. 

It was an honor to be on the planning committee this year. Reviewing hundreds of abstracts was definitely time consuming but it was a great opportunity to be the first to learn about the advances in cleft and craniofacial care people are making around the country. Much like being an Editor for the Cleft Palate-Craniofacial Journal. 

Excited to be here in Fort Worth meeting friends, planning future research projects,  and learning.  



 

 
 
 
just south of  

03/31/2022

There's nothing better than seeing babies I've helped with a cleft lip or cleft palate repair come back for a Checkup.

Part if the visit is to help guide their care. Another part is understanding where I can do better.
I'm usually more critical of the results than parents. This still has a bit of redness and a bit of fullness in the red lip. But overnight a great outcome.
Excited to watch her grow and thrive in the years to come

How do you think it turned out?





just south of