Introduction of Spring-Assisted Cranioplasty for Bicoronal Synotosis in India: Description of First Case and Our Learning Experience

Neurol India. 2023 May-Jun;71(3):527-530. doi: 10.4103/0028-3886.378708.

Abstract

Background: Various surgical techniques for cranial reconstruction of patients with bicoronal synostosis have been suggested. The outcome is, however, still often suboptimal.

Methods: In a 5-month-old child with apert syndrome, following a craniotomy incision, lambdoid suturotomy was done bilaterally. Two springs were implanted bilaterally over the lambdoid sutures. Cephalic index was obtained from three-dimensional computed tomography scans, and photographs were analyzed for aesthetic evaluation.

Result: The preoperative calvarial shape was hyperbrachycephalic. The CI improved from 92 to 83 units. Duration of surgery was 1 h 45 min, blood loss was 30 mL, and total hospital stay was 3 days. No major complications were observed. Spring removal was done at 6 months postoperatively and frontoorbital advancement performed.

Conclusion: Spring-assisted cranioplasty for bicoronal synostosis is a safe and elegant technique, is less invasive than many other cranioplasties, and results in marked improvement in the calvarial shape.

Keywords: Bicoronal synostosis; lambdoid suturotomy; spring cranioplasty.

MeSH terms

  • Child
  • Cranial Sutures / diagnostic imaging
  • Cranial Sutures / surgery
  • Craniosynostoses* / diagnostic imaging
  • Craniosynostoses* / surgery
  • Craniotomy / methods
  • Humans
  • India
  • Infant
  • Skull* / diagnostic imaging
  • Skull* / surgery
  • Treatment Outcome