Suture Autotransplantation and Dural Stripping for Craniosynostosis: A Long-Term Growth Study in Humans.

OBJECTIVE

Craniosynostosis treatment by suture autotransplantation and dura stripping has proven to be successful in animals. When applied clinically, it may reduce operative morbidity and postoperative growth disturbances known to occur after radical remodeling. It may prevent resynostosis, which is known to occur after simple synostostectomy. It may prevent subcutaneous fluid collections known to occur after synostectomy and dura stripping.

STUDY

DESIGN

Four synostostic infants have been treated using this concept and followed up by computerized scans. The distance between markers on each side of the transplanted sutures (6 in total) has been monitored from 1.5 to 7 years.

RESULTS

The transplanted suture areas remained intact, and the sutures remained patent and experienced growth. A fifth patient with similar results was published earlier as a case report.

CONCLUSIONS

Suture transplantation and dural stripping should be further studied in future multicenter studies with larger series, comprising syndromic and nonsyndromic synostosis patients.