Premature craniosynostosis. A retrospective analysis of a series of 52 cases.

A retrospective analysis of a consecutive series of 52 cases with premature craniosynostosis is presented. Excellent functional, cosmetic, and social results could be achieved by resection of prematurely fused sutures and the creation of artificial growth sutures. Pronounced skull deformities have been corrected using the "basket handle", the "visor plasty", and the "T- bone" techniques or a combination of several of these skull form correction techniques. The surgical correction of the skull base by the "frontal advancement" technique in combination with orbitotomy was only necessary in 2 of our cases and could have been considered in 2 additional cases viewed retrospectively. Our results support the hypothesis that the primary cause of skull deformity is the premature closure of vault sutures and not a primary deformity of the skull base.