A Technique for Minimizing the Need for Hemotransfusion in Non-Syndromic Craniosynostosis Surgery

Surgery for craniosynostosis is associated with excessive blood loss, as well as morbidity and mortality risks. This study investigated the effectiveness of a surgical technique for nonsyndromic craniosynostosis intervention in controlling bleeding, assessed based on the volume of blood transfused. The cohort included 73 children who underwent nonsyndromic craniosynostosis surgery during a 3-year period. Retrospective evaluation of patient parameters included sex, weight, and age at the time of surgery; type of craniosynostosis; duration of surgery; hemoglobin concentration before and after surgery; rate of transfusion; and volume of transfused blood (mL/kg). The surgical technique involved skin incision and subgaleal dissection using electrocautery with a Colorado needle tip. The pericranium was not removed but instead kept in situ, and orbiectomy was performed using piezosurgery. Of the 73 children in the cohort, 75.3% underwent fronto-orbital advancement and were included in the analysis. The average age was 10.9 months (range: 4-96 months), with 68.5% boys and 31.5% girls (P < 0.001). The most common type of craniosynostosis was trigonocephaly (57.5%), followed by scaphocephaly (19.2%). The mean duration of the surgery was 2 hours and 55 minutes. Blood transfusion was needed in 56.2% of patients, with a mean volume of 8.7 mL/kg body weight transfused intraoperatively. No complications or fatalities were observed. These results suggested that meticulous, continuous control of homeostasis is paramount in minimizing blood loss during surgical repair of nonsyndromic craniosynostosis.