Outcome analysis of 85 patients undergoing the pi procedure for correction of sagittal synostosis.

The authors present a retrospective review of their experience with 85 cases using the pi procedure to correct sagittal synostosis. A male preponderance of four to one was recognized in this group. Sixty-five infants underwent computerized tomography scanning of the head prior to surgery; these scans revealed unexpected intracranial pathology in 5% of cases. Surgical complications included three intraoperative dural lacerations. All children received blood transfusions with no complications. Cosmetic outcomes were excellent in 53%, good in 43%, and poor in 4% of cases. One patient required reoperation. All poor outcomes were in infants who were younger than 8 weeks of age at the time of surgery and who underwent a "reverse pi" procedure. Most of the excellent outcomes occurred in infants who were between 3 and 6 months of age at the time of surgery. Although more extensive than strip craniectomy, the pi procedure can be accomplished with minimal morbidity. In the authors' opinion, the pi procedure provides better immediate and long-term cosmetic results than synostectomy alone.