Longitudinal Three-Dimensional Follow-Up and Secondary Treatment Aspects after Endoscopic and Open Scaphocephaly Surgery.

BACKGROUND

This retrospective cohort study evaluated the longitudinal three-dimensional cranial shape developments and the secondary treatment aspects after endoscopically assisted craniosynostosis surgery (EACS) with helmet therapy and open cranial vault reconstruction (OCVR) for scaphocephaly.

METHODS

Longitudinally collected three-dimensional photographs from scaphocephaly patients and healthy infants were evaluated. Three-dimensional cranial shape measurements and growth maps were compared between the groups over time. Secondary treatment aspects were compared for the treatment groups.

RESULTS

Both surgical techniques showed their strongest changes directly after surgery, with mean parietal three-dimensional growths up to 10 mm. At age 24 months, comparison of head shapes showed mean three-dimensional differences less than ±2 mm, with OCVR resulting in a lower vertex and longer cranial length when compared with EACS. At 48 months of age, no measurements were significantly different between treatment groups. Only the total head volume was somewhat larger in the male EACS group at age 48 months ( P = 0.046). Blood loss in EACS (mean, 18 mL; range, 0 to 160 mL) was lower than in OCVR (mean, 100 mL; range, 15 to 300 mL; P < 0.001). Median length of stay after surgery was shorter for EACS (mean, 2 days; range, 1 to 5 days) compared with OCVR (mean, 5 days; range, 3 to 8 days; P < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

The authors conclude that EACS for scaphocephaly shows equal craniometric results at age 48 months and has a better surgery profile compared with OCVR. Early diagnostics and referral for suspected scaphocephaly to allow EACS is therefore recommended.

CLINICAL QUESTION/LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic, III.