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Spring-assisted correction of sagittal suture synostosis

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Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to describe the technique and advantages and limitations of spring-assisted cranioplasty for sagittal suture synostosis.

Methods

Preliminary data are presented of the first 41 patients treated with this technique at our institution.

Results

The cephalic index was 75 after surgery and dropped to 74 one year after surgery. Mean blood loss of both procedures combined was 54 ml.

Conclusion

Spring-assisted cranioplasty requires only two small incisions and is at least as effective as other techniques with respect to the cephalic index. Blood loss, operative time, and complication rate are reduced. The most important disadvantage is the need to remove the springs in a second intervention. A second drawback is that the expansion of the spring is not controllable after placement. This can be partially intercepted by adjusting the spring (or the craniotomy) to the patient’s specific features.

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Conflict of interest

The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Dutch Craniofacial Centre, Department of Neurosurgery, Erasmus MC, Sophia Children’s Hospital, Rotterdam, The Netherlands

    Marie-Lise C. van Veelen

  2. Dutch Craniofacial Centre, Department of Plastic, Reconstructive and Hand Surgery, Erasmus MC, Sophia Children’s Hospital, Rotterdam, The Netherlands

    Irene M. J. Mathijssen

  3. Department of Pediatric Neurosurgery, Erasmus Medical Center, PO Box 2060, 3000, CB, Rotterdam, The Netherlands

    Marie-Lise C. van Veelen

Authors
  1. Marie-Lise C. van Veelen
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  2. Irene M. J. Mathijssen
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Marie-Lise C. van Veelen.

Additional information

This study was not subject to the Medical Research Involving Human Subjects Act (WMO) since this study does not involve any form of invasion of the study participant's integrity.

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van Veelen, ML.C., Mathijssen, I.M.J. Spring-assisted correction of sagittal suture synostosis. Childs Nerv Syst 28, 1347–1351 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00381-012-1850-5

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00381-012-1850-5

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