Endoscopic Spring Mediated Cranioplasty for Management of Coronal Craniosynostosis

Spring-mediated cranioplasty (SMC) is a safe and effective treatment for craniosynostosis. The authors describe the largest cohort of endoscopic SMC for coronal craniosynostosis to date, highlighting the evolution of their technique.

The authors retrospectively reviewed patients who underwent endoscopic coronal suturectomy and SMC between 2017 and 2023. Patients were analyzed based on demographics, operative details, and outcomes. In brief, an incision was made over the midpoint of the affected coronal suture. Endoscopic suturectomy and SMC was performed.

Seventeen patients underwent endoscopic suturectomy and spring placement, with a mean follow up of 25 months. Patients were diagnosed and underwent surgery at a mean age of 4 months. Mean intraoperative blood loss was 35 mL (range: 10-100 mL) and mean intraoperative blood transfusion volume was 45 mL (range: 0-120 mL). The median spring force was 9N (range: 6-9.5N). The average length of stay was 1 day (range: 1-3 d). Springs allowed 35 mm (median: 28-44 mm range) expansion at the time of the final skull radiograph and were removed at a mean of 4 months postoperatively. To date, no patient has undergone open revision. No intraoperative complications occurred. Six postoperative complications occurred, including superficial surgical site infection managed with oral antibiotics (n=1), an exposed spring (n=1) requiring local wound care, a dislodged spring requiring a return to the operating room (n=3), and suture refusion requiring repeat suturectomy (n=1).

Here, the authors report the largest experience of endoscopic SMC for treatment of coronal craniosynostosis, highlighting the associated benefits and challenges of the technique. Future comparative studies will be helpful for direct comparisons.