Complications associated with gradual cranial vault distraction osteogenesis for the treatment of craniofacial synostosis.

Distraction osteogenesis has become a standard technique for craniomaxillofacial reconstruction. The authors performed gradual cranial vault distraction osteogenesis in 19 patients with craniosynostosis to study the outcome and complications of this procedure. Postoperative infections developed around the shaft puncture wounds in four patients, including one who required surgical removal of the device. Advanced bone was deformed in one patient. In another, the expansion device was exposed, resulting in a postoperative scar. Despite these complications, the cranium was successfully expanded in all patients.