Work

29. Impact of Age at Endoscopic Metopic Synostosis Repair on Anthropometric Outcomes

Year: 2023

Type: article

Abstract: OBJECTIVE: Endoscopic strip craniectomy for metopic craniosynostosis relies on rapid growth and post-operative helmeting for correction. Endoscopic repair is generally performed before patients reach 4 months of age, and outcomes in older patients have yet to be quantified. Here, we examine a cohort of patients treated with endoscopic repair before and after 4 months of age to determine aesthetic outcomes of delayed repairs. METHODS: Data from eligible patients were retrospectively assessed and aggregated in a dedicated metopic synostosis database. Inclusion criteria were radiographically confirmed metopic synostosis and endoscopic treatment. Patients were dichotomized into groups, one comprising patients younger than 4 months at time of repair and another comprising patients at 4 months and older.Frontal width and interfrontal divergence angle (IFDA) were measured from reconstructed CT images. These measurements, alongside operative time, estimated blood loss, and transfusion rates were compared between groups utilizing Student’s t-tests or Chi-square tests. RESULTS: The study population comprised 28 patients treated before 4 months of age and 8 patients treated at 4-6 months of age). Patient sex and perioperative complications did not differ by age group. Older age at repair was not significantly associated with 1-year postoperative IFDA (140±4.2 degrees vs 142±5.0 degrees, p=0.28) or frontal width (84±5.2 mm vs 83±4.4 mm, p=0.47). CONCLUSIONS: One-year postoperative IFDA and frontal width do not differ significantly between patients treated before and after 4 months of age. Further study with longer follow-up is necessary to confirm the longevity of these results at skeletal maturity.

Source: Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery Global Open

DOI: 10.1097/01.gox.0000937712.73949.49