Related Experiment Video
Updated: Apr 27, 2026
Midface Hypoplasia and Cranial Base Morphology in Syndromic Craniosynostosis: A Comparative Analysis Study Using a Predictive Regression Model
Published on: November 4, 2025
Surgical correction of craniosynostosis. A review of 100 cases
George M Zakhary1, David M Montes1, Jennifer E Woerner1
1Department of Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery, Louisiana State University School of Medicine - Shreveport, USA.
Insights
Open cranial vault reshaping for craniosynostosis in 100 pediatric patients showed good long-term outcomes with a low complication rate. This study provides valuable data for future multidisciplinary care improvements.
Area of Science:
- Craniofacial surgery
- Pediatric neurosurgery
- Plastic surgery
Background:
- Craniosynostosis is a congenital condition involving premature fusion of skull sutures.
- Open cranial vault reshaping is a surgical technique used to correct skull deformities.
- Single-institution studies provide focused outcome data for specific surgical approaches.
Purpose of the Study:
- To report outcome data for 100 patients undergoing open cranial vault reshaping.
- To evaluate the efficacy and complication rates of this procedure at a single center.
- To contribute to the understanding of long-term results in craniosynostosis repair.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective review of 100 patient records.
- Inclusion criteria: primary open cranial vault reshaping, age under three years, minimum 2-year follow-up.
- Data collected on patient demographics, surgical details, and complications.
Main Results:
- The study included 100 patients (27 female, 73 male), 6 syndromic and 94 nonsyndromic.
- Average age at surgery was 8.9 months; average surgical time was 216.7 minutes.
- Complications included hematomas, wound infections, dural tears, and reoperations; one intraoperative death occurred.
Conclusions:
- Open cranial vault reshaping in this cohort demonstrated good long-term results.
- The overall complication rate was low, supporting the safety and efficacy of the procedure.
- Findings will inform future prospective studies on multidisciplinary care for craniosynostosis.
Purpose:
Provide outcome data for open cranial vault reshaping at a single institution by a single craniofacial surgeon treating 100 patients.
Methods And Subjects:
A total of 100 patient records were reviewed. Criteria for selection included patients less than three years of age undergoing primary surgery with open cranial vault reshaping and a minimum follow up time of 2 years.
Results:
Of the 100 patients (27 female, 73 male) treated 6 were syndromic and 94 nonsyndromic. Average age and weight were 8.9 months and 9.51 kg, respectively. The oldest child was 30 months and the youngest 5 months at the time of surgery. The estimated blood volume lost was 42.7% of total calculated blood volume ranging from 16.6% to 336%. Average surgical time was 216.7 min. Complications included 2 hematomas, 2 wound infections, 1 subgaleal abscess, 6 dural tears, 3 patients requiring reoperation for residual deformity, 4 cases requiring coronal scar revision, 1 sagittal sinus bleed, and 1 intraoperative death.
Conclusions:
Our review of 100 open repairs of patients with craniosynostosis demonstrates good long-term results with an overall low complication rate. The outcome data will assist in developing future prospective studies aimed at improving the multidisciplinary care of these patients.
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