Variability in Minimally Invasive Surgery for Sagittal Craniosynostosis

Area of Science:

• Neurosurgery
• Pediatric Surgery
• Craniofacial Surgery

Background:

• Minimally invasive techniques are increasingly used for sagittal craniosynostosis correction.
• These methods offer an alternative to traditional open cranial vault remodeling.

Purpose of the Study:

• To systematically review and evaluate the variability in surgical techniques for minimally invasive correction of sagittal craniosynostosis.
• To identify inconsistencies in terminology used to describe these procedures.

Main Methods:

• A systematic literature search was conducted using PubMed, EMBASE, and the Cochrane library.
• Articles were selected based on predefined inclusion and exclusion criteria.
• Data extracted included surgical incisions, dissection methods, osteotomies, and force therapy.

Main Results:

• 28 articles detailing 17 distinct minimally invasive techniques were analyzed.
• Significant variations were observed in surgical access (incisions), osteotomy design, force therapy, and patient age.
• Inconsistent terminology was noted across different surgical centers.

Conclusions:

• Minimally invasive approaches for sagittal craniosynostosis exhibit wide technical and terminological variations.
• This inconsistency complicates the interpretation of current literature.
• Standardized terminology is recommended for future research and clinical reporting.