Aim: The behaviour of a neurocranial suture autograft in a plagiocephalic infant is described.
Patient and methods: In a 7-month-old girl, born with right-sided unicoronal synostosis, part of the left-sided unicoronal suture was transplanted to the right-sided synostosectomy site. Also, in the pathological area, the periosteal 'layer' of the dura was surgically removed. The suture autotransplantation was integrated into the classical concept of radical remodelling, planned in a computer design environment. Growth of the suture was monitored by CT.
Results: Suture patency and osseous growth within the autograft could be demonstrated over a 1-year period.
Conclusion: Neurocranial suture autotransplantation together with the prohibition of fusion-inducing dural signals seems to be a promising technique in the treatment of certain premature synostoses. This warrants a prospective clinical trial.