Correction of Unicoronal Synostosis With Springs: Two Patients With Improved Facial Symmetry.

OBJECTIVE

Surgical correction of unicoronal synostosis (UCS) entails extensive cranioplasties which do not address facial scoliosis. This paper presents the first results with springs that motivated the shift from extensive cranioplasties to dynamic techniques for surgical correction of UCS.

METHODS

Two cases of UCS were operated with a linear osteotomy combined with springs. The deviation in facial symmetry (orbital dystopia angle) and skull base angles were measured on pre and postoperative computed tomography scans until 3 years of age.

RESULTS

The facial scoliosis was corrected. At spring removal, the orbital dystopia angle had gone from a 9.2 to 13.2-degree deviation preoperatively to a 0.5 to 0.9-degree overcorrection compared with the ideal 0-degree deviation. Also, the skull base deviation improved.

CONCLUSION

Linear osteotomy combined with springs corrects the facial scoliosis in UCS. These cases indicate that dynamic methods may be beneficial for improving the results of surgical correction of UCS.