Craniosynostosis
Craniosynostosis is a birth defect in which one or more of the fibrous joints between the bones of a baby's skull (cranial sutures) close prematurely (fuse), before the baby's brain is fully formed. Brain growth continues, giving the head a misshapen appearance. Treating craniosynostosis involves surgery to correct the shape of the head and allow for normal brain growth.
How is it performed?
Open surgery
- Before the surgery starts, general anaesthesia is administered.
- An incision is made over the top of the head, from just above one ear to just above the other ear.
- A flap of skin, tissue and muscle below the skin, and the tissue covering the bone are loosened and raised up so the surgeon can see the bone.
- A strip of bone is usually removed where two sutures connect. This is called a strip craniectomy.
- Sometimes, bones that are left in place need to be shifted or moved and sometimes, the bones around the eyes are cut and reshaped.
- Bones are fastened using small plates with screws.
- Surgery usually takes 3 to 7 hours.
Minimally-invasive surgery
- A newer kind of surgery is used for some children.
- The surgeon makes one or two small cuts in the scalp, usually above the area where the bone needs to be removed.
- The endoscope is passed through the small cuts. The scope allows the surgeon to view the area being operated on.
- Using special instruments, the surgeon removes portions of bone through these cuts.
- This surgery usually takes about 1 hour.
- Most children need to wear a special helmet to protect their head for a period of time after surgery.
