Planning and Osteotomy Designs in the Correction of Single-Suture Craniosynostosis.

BACKGROUND

Craniosynostosis is among the abnormalities that are more commonly encountered by craniofacial surgeons. Although the overall concepts for cranial vault remodeling are relatively simple, osteotomy designs and methods for calvarial rearrangement are highly varied. In this work, we present a summary of the known designs for correction of single-suture craniosynostosis.

METHODS

A review of the literature was performed of the more frequently used osteotomy designs for single-suture craniosynostosis, as well as their reported results and outcomes. Also reviewed are some of the current available approaches for the diagnosis and surgical planning for single-suture craniosynostosis.

RESULTS

There remains a diversity of techniques available for the reconstruction of each fused cranial suture. Certain osteotomy designs are reported in the literature and are used by craniofacial surgeons more frequently. Each has its own benefits and disadvantages, and there is a growing body of outcome data available to guide surgical decision-making. Regarding diagnosis and surgical planning, computed tomography with 3-dimensional reconstruction remains the diagnostic standard of care, and efforts are ongoing to develop and implement new diagnostic modalities like Black Bone MRI to reduce radiation exposure.

CONCLUSIONS

There has been ongoing evolution of the surgical techniques available to reconstruct single-suture craniosynostosis, leading to ever-improving patient outcomes.