[The range of craniosynostosis - timing and techniques of craniofacial repair]

Craniofacial anomalies show a wide spectrum of phenotypes and imply functional and esthetic disfigurement above all in cases of syndromal patients. The development in the field of craniofacial surgery during the last decades has brought us a system of highly standardized surgical procedures for the correction of the facial framework and the neighboring areas of the neurocranium which have only few tendencies for relapse. The feasibility of correction is nearby unlimited but implies sometimes considerable effort. As in other medical disciplines as well there is a risk of going beyond necessaries due to enthusiasm. The realistic assessment of patient's benefit must be the basis for the indication, timing and realization of each individual decision.