The Need for Additional Surgery after Passive versus Active Approaches to Syndromic Craniosynostosis: A Meta-analysis

Endoscopically assisted craniofacial surgery (EACS) has numerous advantages over traditional, open approaches, such as fronto-orbital advancement in treating nonsyndromic craniosynostosis. However, several articles report high reoperation rates in syndromic patients treated with EACS. This meta-analysis and review examines undesirable outcome rates (UORs), defined as reoperation or Whitaker category III/IV, in syndromic patients undergoing primary EACS compared with procedures that actively expand the cranial vault.

PubMed and Embase were searched in June 2022 to identify all articles reporting primary reoperation or Whitaker outcomes for syndromic patients undergoing cranial vault expanding surgery or suturectomy. A meta-analysis of proportions was performed comparing UORs, and a trim-and-fill adjustment method was used to validate sensitivity and assess publication bias.

A total of 721 articles were screened. Five EACS articles (83 patients) and 22 active approach articles (478 patients) met inclusion criteria. Average UORs for EACS and active approaches were 26% (14%-38%) and 20% (13%-28%), respectively (P = 0.18). Reoperation occurred earlier in EACS patients (13.7 months postprimary surgery versus 37.1 months for active approaches, P = 0.003). Relapse presentations and reason for reoperation were also reviewed. Subjectively, EACS UORs were higher in all syndromes except Apert, and Saethre-Chotzen patients had the highest UOR for both approaches.

There was no statistically significant increase in UORs among syndromic patients treated with EACS compared with traditional approaches, although EACS patients required revision significantly sooner. Uncertainties regarding the long-term efficacy of EACS in children with syndromic craniosynostosis should be revisited as more data become available.