The evolving role of springs in craniofacial surgery: the first 100 clinical cases

The use of springs in craniofacial surgery originated at Sahlgrenska University Hospital in 1997 as a way of remodeling the cranial vault postoperatively.

The hospital records of the first 100 operations involving spring placement were analyzed retrospectively. Demographic, perioperative, and postoperative data were recorded.

Two hundred forty-six springs were used in 96 patients. Results for sagittal, metopic, bicoronal, multiple synostoses, and midface surgery are presented. In total, five patients (5 percent) required further surgery because of undercorrection. There were no major complications. Spring dislodgement (5 percent) was the most common complication in early cases. Raised intracranial pressure resulted in a protocol change with the use of compressive springs. The data compare favorably with those of standard craniofacial procedures performed in the same unit.

This therapeutic modality in craniofacial surgery has allowed minimization of the extent of surgery without compromising clinical outcomes. Springs have now become part of the authors' treatment protocol for craniosynostosis and midface surgery. The authors have shown the use of these techniques to be safe and, in selected situations, to offer significant advantages over other methods of treatment.