Combined unilateral coronal-lambdoid suture synostosis: surgical outcome of suturectomy and postoperative helmet therapy.

INTRODUCTION

Nonsyndromic, multi-suture craniosynostosis is not common, especially those involving unilateral coronal and lambdoid sutures. Based on the experience on 6 cases, we analyzed the skull morphology of combined unilateral coronal-lambdoid suture synostosis and evaluated the surgical outcome of suturectomy.

METHODS

Patients who underwent an operation for craniosynostosis in Seoul National University Children's Hospital from 2010 to 2018 were reviewed. For qualitative analysis of the surgical outcome, five typical morphologic characteristics (ipsilateral superior orbital rim deviation, deviation of the nasal ridge, ipsilateral frontal flattening, contralateral parietal bulging, ipsilateral occipitomastoid bulging) in unilateral coronal-lambdoid suture synostosis were evaluated based on medical photos, plain skull radiographs, and CT scans. For quantitative analysis, three parameters (nasal root deviation, orbital asymmetry, posterior skull base deviation) were measured.

RESULTS

Among 316 patients with craniosynostosis, 41 patients had nonsyndromic, multi-suture synostosis. There were 6 unilateral coronal-lambdoid suture synostosis patients who were all treated with suturectomy. Qualitative evaluation of the postoperative outcome revealed that the nasal root and orbital rim deviations and the contralateral occipitomastoid bulging showed satisfactory improvements. However, ipsilateral frontal flattening and contralateral parietal bulging were improved but still present in most cases. Quantitative, craniometric analysis supported the qualitative outcomes. The nasal ridge deviation angle was corrected from 7.04 to 1.79 degrees. The posterior skull base deviation angle improved from 6.29 to 3.55 degrees.

CONCLUSION

Unilateral coronal-lambdoid suture synostosis suturectomy followed by helmet therapy resulted in favorable outcomes, although the correction of frontal flattening was less satisfactory than the other measures. Considering the minimal invasiveness of the treatment, suturectomy may be a viable option for these patients.