Fronto-orbital remodeling without orbito-naso-frontal bandeau

Is reverse frontal cranioplasty eligible for the correction of both the forehead deformities and the intracranial hypertension in craniosynostosis? Comparison of the preoperative and postoperative intracranial volumes

BACKGROUND

This study aimed to describe the surgical technique of reverse frontal cranioplasty (RFC), the aesthetical modification as well as the modification of intracranial volume (ICV) to assess its potential eligibility for the treatment of the intracranial hypertension (IH).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A retrospective monocentric study included the patients with a history of craniosynostosis with a forehead deformity who underwent RFC. A subjective outcome questionnaire (SOQ) was conducted with each patient or their parent to determine their level of satisfaction after RFC. Pre- and postoperative computed tomography (CT) scans were analyzed and compared to investigate the ICV change and fronto-nasal angle.

RESULTS

Eleven patients were included in the study (6 female and 5 male) with a mean age of 10.9 years old (range 3-23 years) and an average follow-up of 4.5 years (1-11 years). All patients responded to the questionnaire with a high level of overall satisfaction (mean 9.1/10). The mean preoperative FNA was 134° ± 5° while the mean postoperative angle was 126.4° ± 6, corresponding to an average decrease of 7.6° (95% CI, 4.0-11.2°; p < 0.001). One patient with preoperative IH had a clinical recurrence during the follow-up. The ICV was significantly higher after the surgery (p < 0.0001), with an average increase of 3.2% (95% CI, 2.3-4.1%).

CONCLUSION

Reverse (RFC) is a useful technique for the correction of the frontal malformations related to craniosynostosis, such as a sloping forehead and/or a lack of the supraorbital projection. Regarding the limited gain of intracranial volume (ICV), it should not be used alone as primary cranial expansion surgery for craniosynostosis with intracranial hypertension (IH).

Bioabsorbable osteofixation devices in craniosynostosis. Clinical experience in 216 cases

INTRODUCTION

The pursuit of bone fixation systems capable of affording appropriate stability for osteosynthesis has gone through several stages from the use of metal wires, plates, and screws to the current stage of bioabsorbable systems. In our Pediatric Neurosurgery Service and Craniofacial Surgery Unit we began employing these systems in June 1997. The object of this paper is to present a review of the bioabsorbable materials most commonly used in pediatric age, and more specifically in treating craniosynostosis, to describe the characteristics of each one of them and our experience.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

From June 1997 to May 2006 we implanted bioabsorbable fixation systems in 216 patients diagnosed with craniosynostosis. Age at treatment ranged between 4 and 24 months (mean age 6.38 months). Brain computed tomography (CT) scans, and three-dimensional (3-D) reconstruction of CT scans were performed before and after treatment. An 82: 18 L-lactic acid: glycolic acid copolymer was used in 92.2% of these cases, and a 70:30 L-lactic acid: D-lactic acid copolymer was used in the remaining 7.8% of cases. The follow-up of the patients ranged between six months and five years.

RESULTS

There was no displacement of bioabsorbable plates or screws in any case. In one case (0.46%), radiological imaging revealed osteolysis underneath the implant eight months after the surgical procedure. Prominences caused by the plates and screws employed were visible in two cases (0.93%). We found fractures in the osteosynthesis mesh in two patients (0.93%). Four patients (1.85%) presented local inflammation. No alterations of cranial morphology secondary to inadequate stability were observed.

CONCLUSIONS

1) Bioabsorbable fixation systems provide excellent stability during the bone "healing" period, without a higher complication rate than with other systems. 2) They help the bone grafts keep their remodeled shape. 3) They promote reossification by preventing the bone grafts from moving after osteosynthesis. 4) No interference with normal growth of the cranial vault has been observed.

Complications in the surgical treatment of craniosynostosis and craniofacial syndromes: apropos of 306 transcranial procedures

OBJECTIVE

To review the complications in the surgical treatment of craniosynostosis in 306 consecutive transcranial procedures between June 1999 and June 2007.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Surgical series consist of 306 procedures done in 268 patients: 155 scaphocephalies, 50 trigonocephalies, 28 anterior plagiocephalies, one occipital plagiocephaly, 20 non-syndromic multisutural synostosis and 32 craniofacial syndromes (11 Crouzon, 12 Apert, seven Pfeiffer and two Saethre-Chotzen) Complications and time of hospitalisation were reckoned. Surgical procedures were classified in 12 different types according to the technique: Type I: frontal-orbital distraction (26 cases); Type II: endoscopic assisted osteotomies in sagittal synostosis (39 cases); Type III: sagittal suturectomy and expansive osteotomies (44 cases); Type IV: same as type III, but including frontal dismantling or frontal osteotomies in scaphocephalies (59 cases); Type V: complete cranial vault remodelling (holocranial dismantling) in scaphocephalies (13 cases); Type VI: frontal-orbital remodelling without frontal-orbital bandeau in trigonocephaly (50 cases); Type VII: frontal-orbital remodelling without frontal-orbital bandeau in plagiocephaly (14 cases); Type VIII: frontal-orbital remodelling with frontal-orbital bandeau in plagiocephaly (14 cases); Type IX: Occipital advancement in posterior plagiocephaly (one case); Type X: Standard bilateral front-orbital advancement with expansive osteotomies (28 cases); Type XI: holocranial dismantling (complete cranial vault remodelling) in multisutural craniosynostosis (12 cases); Type XII: occipital and suboccipital craniectomies in multiple suture craniosynostosis (six cases).

RESULTS

There was no mortality and all complications resolved without permanent deficit. Mean age at surgery was 6.75 months. Most frequent complication was non-filiated postoperative hyperthermia (13.17% of the cases) followed by infection (8.10%), subcutaneous haematoma (6.08%), dural tears (5.06%) and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leakage (2.7%). Number and type of complications was higher among the group of reoperated patients (12.8% of all): 62.5% of all the series infections, 93% of all dural tears and 75% of all CSF leaks. In relation to surgical procedures, endoscopic assisted osteotomies reported the lowest rate of complications, followed by standard frontal-orbital advancement in multiple synostosis, trigonocephalies and plagiocephalies. Highest number of complications was related to complete cranial vault remodelling (holocranial dismantling) in scaphocephalies and multiple synostoses and after the use of internal osteogenic distractors. Special consideration deserves two cases of iatrogenic basal encephaloceles after combined frontal-facial distraction. Finally, we establish considerations based on the complications related to every specific technique.

CONCLUSIONS

Percentage and severity of complications relates to the surgical procedure and is higher among patients going for re-operation. Mean time of hospitalization is also modified by these issues.

Endoscopic-assisted osteotomies for the treatment of craniosynostosis

INTRODUCTION

The development of multidisciplinar units for Craniofacial Surgery has led to better postoperative results and a considerable decrease in morbidity in the treatment of complex craniofacial patients.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Standard correction of craniosynostosis involves calvarial remodeling, often considerable blood losses that need to be replaced and lengthy hospital stay. The use of minimally invasive techniques for the correction of some of these malformations are widespread and allows the surgeon to minimize the incidence of complications by means of a decreased surgical time, blood salvage, and shortening of postoperative hospitalization in comparison to conventional craniofacial techniques.

DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION

Simple and milder craniosynostosis are best approached by endoscopy-assisted osteotomies and render the best results. Extended procedures other than simple suturectomies have been described for more severe patients. Different osteotomies resembling standard fronto-orbital have been developed for the correction, and the use of postoperative cranial orthesis may improve the final cosmetic appearance. Thus, endoscopic-assisted procedures differ from the simple strategy of single suture resection that rendered insufficient results in the past, and different approaches can be tailored to solve these cases in patients in the setting of a case-to-case bases.

Blood sparing in craniosynostosis surgery

One of the main risks of craniosynostosis surgery is the possible need for an allogenic blood transfusion (ABT). Most patients are operated on in the first months of life, when physiological conditions are particularly sensitive to even limited blood losses. Furthermore, most surgical techniques proposed in the past were based on extensive craniectomies and cranial remodeling. Because of the known infective and immunologic risks of ABT, in recent years more attention has been dedicated to factors that might help reduce the risk of ABT. We review recent preoperative (ie, erythropoietin administration), intraoperative (ie, acute normovolemic hemodilution, intraoperative blood salvage), and postoperative (ie, clinical monitoring, postoperative blood salvage) anesthesiologic procedures developed with this aim in mind. We also consider operative techniques and technical apparatus that reduce surgical invasiveness, particularly preoperative planning, age selection, and the role of endoscopic assistance and gradual distraction devices.

Do We Need Three-Dimensional Computed Tomography in Maxillofacial Surgery?

In a retrospective clinical study (2000-2003), 121 patients' radiographs and computed tomography scans were reviewed to establish the clinical value of three-dimensional computed tomography. Eighty patients had computed tomography scans; 48 had three-dimensional computed tomography scans for diagnosing facial fractures, 3 for diagnosing temporomandibular joint ankylosis, 1 for tumor with bone destruction, and 1 for a mandibular cyst. It is concluded that axial, coronal, and three-dimensional computed tomography is of crucial importance and should be mandatory for all suspected comminuted and displaced midface fractures instead of plain radiographs. Three-dimensional computed tomography is also recommended for comminuted mandibular fractures and temporomandibular joint ankylosis. Three-dimensional computed tomography is not recommended for the diagnosis of minimally displaced fractures.