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Results of cranial vault reshaping
M Z Sabry1, I L Wornom, J D Ward
1Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Medical College of Virginia, Richmond 23298, USA.
Annals of Plastic Surgery
|August 17, 2001
Summary
Cranial vault reshaping is a safe surgical procedure for correcting skull deformities in children. While it can achieve normal head shape for sagittal craniosynostosis, severe anomalies may result in persistent mild deformities.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric surgery
- Craniofacial surgery
- Neurosurgery
Background:
- Cranial vault reshaping is a surgical technique used to correct skull and upper facial deformities.
- This retrospective study reviewed outcomes in 10 children treated between 1993 and 1996.
Observation:
- The study included children with sagittal craniosynostosis, pansynostosis (cloverleaf skull), and turricephaly secondary to hydrocephalus.
- Ages at surgery ranged from 6 to 62 months (mean 25 months).
- Titanium plates and screws were used, with two removals due to palpability.
Findings:
- No operative mortality occurred. Mean blood loss was 422 ml, with all patients requiring transfusion.
- Two major complications arose from increased intracranial pressure, but patients recovered fully without neurological deficits.
- Successful correction to normal head shape was achieved in sagittal craniosynostosis cases. Cloverleaf skull and turricephaly showed improvement but retained mild residual deformities.
Implications:
- Cranial vault reshaping is a safe and effective treatment for specific pediatric skull deformities.
- Late correction of sagittal craniosynostosis can yield excellent long-term aesthetic results.
- While significant improvement is possible for severe craniofacial anomalies, residual deformities may persist, particularly in syndromic cases.