Our Summary

This research study looked at the first 111 cases of a specific type of skull surgery (EACS) in infants, followed by the use of a special helmet. The researchers analyzed various factors such as the age of the babies at the time of surgery, how long the surgery took, the amount of blood loss, the need for blood transfusion, the shape of the head before and after surgery, and how long the helmet had to be worn after the surgery. They also asked parents about how much of a burden the helmet therapy was for them and their baby.

The results showed that most of the surgeries were performed on babies who had a specific type of skull deformity (scaphocephaly). On average, the babies were about four months old at the time of surgery, the surgery took about an hour, there was minimal blood loss, and about a fifth of the babies needed a blood transfusion. After surgery, the helmet was worn for about ten months. The shape of the babies’ heads improved after the surgery and the use of the helmet. The average hospital stay was about three days. Both the babies and their parents found the helmet therapy to be not too burdensome.

The study concluded that this type of surgery and helmet therapy is a good option for babies with certain types of skull deformities. It has low risk, doesn’t require a long hospital stay, doesn’t cause much blood loss, and doesn’t often require a blood transfusion. It also leads to good cosmetic results.

FAQs

  1. What is the average age of patients undergoing non-syndromic endoscopically assisted craniosynostosis surgery (EACS)?
  2. What is the typical duration of postoperative helmet therapy following EACS?
  3. How does EACS affect the hospital stay duration and blood loss for patients?

Doctor’s Tip

One helpful tip a doctor might tell a patient about craniofacial surgery is to follow the recommended postoperative care instructions closely, including wearing any prescribed helmets or devices for the recommended duration. This will help ensure optimal results and minimize the need for additional interventions.

Suitable For

Patients typically recommended for craniofacial surgery are those with craniosynostosis, a condition where the bones in a baby’s skull fuse together too early. This can result in an abnormal head shape and potentially affect brain growth. In this study, the patients were non-syndromic, meaning they did not have any associated genetic syndromes. The most common types of craniosynostosis treated in this study were scaphocephaly, trigonocephaly, and anterior plagiocephaly. The surgery, known as endoscopically assisted craniosynostosis surgery (EACS), was found to have low morbidity rates, short surgical time, and satisfying cosmetic results.

Timeline

  • Patient is diagnosed with non-syndromic craniosynostosis
  • Patient undergoes endoscopically assisted craniosynostosis surgery
  • Surgery lasts around 58 minutes with minimal blood loss
  • Patient stays in the hospital for about 2.6 days
  • Patient undergoes helmet therapy for about 10 months post-surgery
  • Patient’s cephalic index improves from preoperative to postoperative
  • Patient and family report low burden of helmet therapy
  • Patient achieves satisfying cosmetic results after surgery

What to Ask Your Doctor

  1. What specific type of craniosynostosis do I have and why is surgery recommended for me?
  2. What are the risks and benefits of endoscopically assisted craniosynostosis surgery compared to traditional open surgery?
  3. How long will the surgery take and what is the expected recovery time?
  4. What is the expected outcome in terms of skull shape and overall appearance?
  5. Will I need to wear a helmet after surgery, and if so, for how long?
  6. What is the likelihood of needing a blood transfusion during or after surgery?
  7. How often will I need follow-up appointments after surgery?
  8. Are there any specific restrictions or limitations I should be aware of during the recovery period?
  9. Can you provide me with information about the experience and success rates of your surgical team with craniofacial surgeries?
  10. Are there any alternative treatment options that I should consider before deciding on surgery?

Reference

Authors: Delye HH, Arts S, Borstlap WA, Blok LM, Driessen JJ, Meulstee JW, Maal TJ, van Lindert EJ. Journal: J Craniomaxillofac Surg. 2016 Aug;44(8):1029-36. doi: 10.1016/j.jcms.2016.05.014. Epub 2016 May 18. PMID: 27298150