Craniosynostosis Treatment Using Distraction Devices

Area of Science:

• Craniofacial Surgery
• Neurosurgery
• Pediatric Plastic Surgery

Background:

• Reports on surgical treatment for 20 patients with craniosynostosis in Japan.
• Collaboration between neurosurgery and plastic surgery departments since 2007.
• Successful skull expansion using distraction devices.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the safety and efficacy of distraction devices in craniosynostosis surgery.
• To describe the collaborative surgical approach between neurosurgery and plastic surgery.
• To assess patient outcomes and complications.

Main Methods:

• 20 patients (23 surgeries) with craniosynostosis underwent joint surgery.
• Neurosurgery team managed patient selection, osteotomy, ICP monitoring, and perioperative care.
• Plastic surgery team performed pre-operative planning, bone distractor placement, and wound management.

Main Results:

• All patients achieved good bone forms post-surgery.
• No serious complications, such as meningitis, were reported.
• Distraction devices facilitated safe and effective skull expansion.

Conclusions:

• Shared roles between surgical teams ensure safe and effective craniosynostosis treatment.
• Distraction devices are a safe and excellent method for skull expansion.
• Continued exploration of distraction device applications is recommended.