UHBW clinicians rebuild seven-year-old’s jaw using his own ribs

Photographed: 7-year-old William was born with Treacher Collins syndrome

A seven-year-old boy has undergone life-changing surgery at Bristol Royal Hospital for Children (BRHC) to rebuild his lower jaw using bone grafts from his own ribs, marking a major milestone in a long and complex medical journey. 

Under the care of University Hospitals Bristol and Weston NHS Foundation Trust (UHBW), William received a seven-hour operation where part of his ribs were used to create new jaw joints. A custom external frame was then attached to gradually lengthen his lower jaw, using a surgical technique known as Distraction Osteogenesis. Once the new bone had strengthened, the frame was removed, and it was deemed safe to reverse William’s tracheostomy. 

This intensive procedure has significantly transformed William’s quality of life. For the first time, he can breathe, swallow and eat without medical assistance, allowing him to enjoy simple childhood experiences such as swimming, school trips and sleepovers with friends. 

William was born in Bath in 2018 with Treacher Collins syndrome, a rare genetic condition affecting approximately one in 50,000 children. The syndrome disrupted the development of his facial bones in the womb, severely restricting the growth of his lower jaw and causing his tongue to block his airway. He was also born with a cleft palate. 

At just one day old, William was transferred to St Michael’s Hospital in Bristol and spent three months in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU). By the time he was two weeks old, he had undergone a tracheostomy (where a breathing tube is inserted through the neck) by paediatric Ear, Nose, and Throat (ENT) surgeons at BRHC.

Since birth, William has required numerous surgeries, led by a multi-disciplinary team at BRHC. In 2024 and 2025, he underwent a series of three planned jaw-lengthening surgeries. During the final stage, surgeons used rib grafts to create entirely new joints for his jaw, a critical step that allowed his tracheostomy to be safely removed. 

William’s mum, Kate, said: “After the tracheostomy was removed, the first thing we did was head to our local play park with a bouncy castle and celebrate with a milkshake. 

“William has had major surgery pretty much since birth. The care we’ve received at BRHC has been phenomenal, from the surgeons to the play team who supported both William and his big sister, Alex. 

“This most recent surgery is truly life-changing for William and our whole family. The coordination of his care has been exemplary. We are forever indebted.” 

William, who lives with his mum, dad Nick, and 10-year-old sister Alex, is now enjoying new freedoms many take for granted. 

He said: “I can’t wait to go down waterslides and have sleepovers at my friends’ houses on my own!” 

The final stage of William’s current treatment plan is scheduled for spring 2026, when surgeons will close the stoma in his neck and carry out further work to support his speech.

Photographed: William enjoying a celebratory milkshake at his local park after his tracheostomy tube was removed

Alistair Cobb, Consultant Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon at UHBW and Clinical Director at the South West Cleft Service, was part of the surgical team which treated William.  

He said: “This treatment isn’t new, but it is complex and rarely offered in so many aspects by a single, integrated team. What makes this even more special is that we’ve been able to provide every aspect of care locally, under one roof, from reconstructive surgery and airway management to cleft palate repair, speech therapy, specialised dentistry and hearing implants. 

“We are absolutely thrilled with the results of the surgery. This achievement highlights not only the exceptional expertise of our clinical teams but also the power of true interdisciplinary collaboration at UHBW.”  

Professor Tim Whittlestone, Chief Medical and Innovation Officer for Bristol NHS Group, which is the partnership between UHBW and North Bristol NHS Trust, said: “This is a great example of our innovative, team-focused approach to surgery. It is clear this intensive procedure has made a huge difference, significantly transforming William’s quality of life. At Bristol NHS Group, we’re really passionate about doing more work like this to help even more patients.”

Photographed: William with his mum Kate, dad Nick and big sister Alex, enjoying a family day out