Improving Cranial Vault Remodeling for Unilateral Coronal Craniosynostosis-Introducing Automated Surgical Planning

Cranial vault remodeling (CVR) for unicoronal synostosis is challenging due to the asymmetric nature of the deformity. Computer-automated surgical planning has demonstrated success in reducing the subjectivity of decision making in CVR in symmetric subtypes. This proof of concept study presents a novel method using Boolean functions and image registration to automatically suggest surgical steps in asymmetric craniosynostosis.

The objective of this study is to introduce automated surgical planning into a CVR virtual workflow for an asymmetric craniosynostosis subtype.

Virtual workflows were developed using Geomagic Freeform Plus software. Hausdorff distances and color maps were used to compare reconstruction models to the preoperative model and a control skull. Reconstruction models were rated as high or low performing based on similarity to the normal skull and the amount of advancement of the frontal bone (FB) and supra-orbital bar (SOB). Fifteen partially and fully automated workflow iterations were carried out.

FB and SOB advancement ranged from 3.08 to 10.48 mm, and -1.75 to 7.78 mm, respectively. Regarding distance from a normal skull, models ranged from .85 to 5.49 mm at the FB and 5.40 to 10.84 mm at the SOB. An advancement of 8.43 mm at the FB and 7.73 mm at the SOB was achieved in the highest performing model, and it differed to a comparative normal skull by .02 mm at the FB and .48 mm at the SOB.

This is the first known attempt at developing an automated virtual surgical workflow for CVR in asymmetric craniosynostosis. Key regions of interest were outlined using Boolean operations, and surgical steps were suggested using image registration. These techniques improved post-operative skull morphology.