Remodelling Surgery in Craniosynostosis

Aims: The authors describe a comprehensive diagnostic algorithm, individual pre-operative care and postoperative follow-up procedures, established at the author's workplace, to address tailored pre-operative haematological preparation and cranial vault remodelling surgery in craniosynostosis patients. Materials and methodology: A set of 14 patients newly operated upon using the remodelling technique is presented and compared to a set of patients operated upon using strip craniectomy, in terms of cosmetic effects, the need for transfusion, surgery time and complications. Results: Remodellation technique surgery patients showed significant improvement in cephalic index and a better cosmetic effect compared with the strip craniectomy patient group. There was no significant difference in surgery time between the operational techniques. Pre-operative haematological preparation was sufficient to eliminate the higher transfusion requirements of very young patients. Conclusions: The remodelling surgery technique was found to provide better cosmetic and therapeutic effects compared with strip craniectomy. Cranial vault remodelling surgery combined with comprehensive, tailored pre-operative care is a safe and efficient procedure in craniosynostosis treatment even in very young children.