Treatment of Unicoronal Craniosynostosis by Rotational Flap Technique Preserves Blood Supply to the Frontal Bone Flap

BackgroundSurgical correction of unicoronal craniosynostosis (UCS) remains a challenging problem. Long-term results are often unsatisfactory secondary to recurrence of the original deformity, requiring secondary operations such as fat grafting or complete revision of the calvarial remodeling. Distraction osteogenesis (DO) has recently emerged as a new modality for treatment of UCS, with promising results and decreased rates of reoperation compared with open cranial vault remodeling. A theoretical benefit of DO is preservation of blood supply to the frontal bone following osteotomy, as the frontal bone can be retained in situ compared with the complete removal and reshaping of the frontal bone during traditional fronto-orbital advancement. Preservation of blood supply to the frontal bone may allow for more robust bony healing and preservation of long-term growth potential; however, the vascularity of the frontal bone flap in DO has not previously been demonstrated. Here, we demonstrate unequivocally that blood supply to the frontal bone is preserved after creation of a rotational bone flap in DO management of UCS.MethodsFrontal bone flap creation via osteotomy for DO treatment of UCS was performed via previously reported technique. Indocyanine green was injected intravenously, and bone perfusion was assessed with a fluorescence imaging system.ResultsFour patients underwent three cranial remodeling and three distractor removal procedures. After frontal bone flap creation via osteotomy for DO, perfusion to the osteotomized portion of the frontal bone flap is preserved. Blood flow is seen crossing the midline of the frontal bone. After removal of the distractor, perfusion in the osteoid consolidate is also observed.ConclusionsPreservation of blood supply has not been previously demonstrated empirically in the setting of DO treatment of UCS. We show for the first time that during frontal bone flap creation, blood flow to the osteotomized portion of the frontal bone flap is maintained. Robust blood flow to the osteoid consolidate is also demonstrated. These data support the use of DO in treatment of UCS, as preserved blood supply to the bone is more likely to support improved healing and long-term results.