Long-term results after lateral canthal advancement for unilateral coronal synostosis.

The procedure of lateral canthal advancement was carried out to correct unilateral coronal synostosis in 39 consecutive patients at The Hospital for Sick Children during a 20-year period. Thirty-seven children were available for follow-up study, and results were considered to be good or excellent in 81% of them. Liberation of the supraorbital margin and release of stenotic skull base sutures are crucial for a successful result. The severity of the process and the age of the patient were not restrictive factors in regard to indication for this procedure. Some patients showed a continuous improvement with time. Morbidity was minimal. It is suggested that lateral canthal advancement is the procedure of choice for unilateral coronal synostosis.