Endoscopic technique for coronal synostosis.

PURPOSE

This paper aims to present a 15-year experience treating coronal craniosynostosis with endoscopic-assisted techniques and postoperative cranial orthotic therapy.

METHODS

A total of 100 patients with coronal craniosynostosis were treated between 1996 and 2010. There were 36 males and 64 females. A single 2-cm incision was made halfway between anterior fontanelle and the squamosal on the affected side. Using endoscopic-assisted visualization, a strip of bone was removed between the aforementioned points. Following surgery, all patients were placed in cranial orthoses to assist in the correction of the craniofacial deformity.

RESULTS

Mean estimated blood loss was 20 cm(3); only one patient required a transfusion. Mean length of stay was 1 day. Mean surgery time was 54 min. There were no mortalities. There was significant correction of vertical dystopia (66 % from baseline) and midsagittal plane deviation (80 % from baseline).

CONCLUSIONS

Endoscopic-assisted craniectomy for treatment of coronal craniosynostosis in very young infants followed by cranial molding is associated with excellent long-lasting results and minimal morbidity and no mortality.