Prior fronto-orbital advancement associated with complications from transcranial midface surgery in patients with syndromic craniosynostosis.

PURPOSE: Our center adopted posterior vault distraction osteogenesis (PVDO) as a first-line intervention for cranial expansion in syndromic craniosynostosis in 2008, and we have a growing cohort of patients undergoing transcranial midface advancement who have not had prior fronto-orbital advancement (FOA). The purpose of this study was to evaluate whether a history of FOA influences the risk profile of transcranial midface advancement in patients with syndromic craniosynostosis.

METHODS

Patients undergoing transcranial fronto-facial advancement from 2000 to 2022 were retrospectively divided into cohorts based on preceding history of fronto-orbital advancement (FOA- and FOA+). Perioperative outcomes including operative time, length of stay, intraoperative dural injury, and complications (Clavien-Dindo score) were compared between groups with appropriate statistics.

RESULTS

Thirty-eight patients were included (15 in FOA- group and 23 in FOA+ group). The overall complication rate was 47% (10% minor, 37% major). Compared to the FOA- group, the FOA+ group had a higher incidence of dural tears (65% v 20%, p = 0.006) and major complications (48% v 13%, p = 0.028). These findings were recapitulated in multivariate logistic regression controlling for other predictors.

CONCLUSIONS

Prior FOA is associated with increased rates of major complications and dural tears in patients with syndromic craniosynostosis undergoing fronto-facial surgery. Options for cranial vault expansion that avoid the frontal region, such as PVDO, may favorably alter the risk profile of fronto-facial advancement.