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Spring-assisted remodeling for ventricular shunt-induced cranial deformity
Charles Davis1, Claes G K Lauritzen
1Central and Southern New Zealand Craniofacial Program, Wellington Regional Plastic, Maxillofacial and Burn Surgery Unit, Wellington, New Zealand. info@craniofacialsurgery.co.nz
The Journal of Craniofacial Surgery
|June 4, 2008
Summary
Spring-assisted cranioplasty effectively reshapes cranial deformities caused by ventricular shunt overdrainage. This minimally invasive technique offers significant aesthetic improvement and near normalization of the cranial index with low morbidity.
Area of Science:
- Neurosurgery
- Craniofacial Surgery
- Pediatric Surgery
Background:
- Ventricular shunt overdrainage can lead to cranial vault collapse and secondary craniosynostosis.
- Limited literature exists on treating these deformities and effective low-morbidity reshaping methods.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the efficacy of spring-assisted cranioplasty for ventricular shunt-associated cranial deformities.
- To assess the technique's impact on cranial index and aesthetic outcomes.
Main Methods:
- Spring-assisted cranioplasty was applied to four patients with scaphocephaly secondary to ventricular shunting.
- Some patients required osteotomy for secondary sagittal synostosis, while others underwent expansion without osteotomy.
Main Results:
- All patients showed near normalization of the cranial index, increasing from 0.60 to 0.71 within 4 months.
- Significant aesthetic improvement of the cranial vault was observed in all cases.
- The technique resulted in minimal morbidity and blood loss compared to traditional methods.
Conclusions:
- Spring-assisted surgery is a straightforward and advantageous technique for ventricular shunt-associated cranial deformities.
- It offers significant benefits, especially when cranial bone quality or quantity is compromised.
- This method provides a low-morbidity alternative to traditional craniofacial reshaping.
