Craniofacial correction of occipital encephalocele.

Occipital encephaloceles are commonly seen birth defects. The incidence is 1 in every 10,000 live births. These defects represent about 15% of the total birth defects reported and treated in the United States. The birth defects encountered today comprise over 50% of all pediatric admissions to general hospitals. Six patients with occipital encephaloceles are treated by a combined craniofacial approach. The corrective measure allows reduction of the herniated encephalocele and correction of the craniofacial deformity in the same operation procedure.