Work

Evaluating long-term outcomes of fronto-orbital advancement in metopic synostosis: insights from 3D photogrammetry

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Current literature on long-term surgical outcomes in patients with metopic synostosis is highly heterogeneous, with inconsistent outcome measures and varying follow-up durations. As a result, there is a lack of reliable data on post-surgical outcomes in late adolescence. The primary objective of this study was to objectively evaluate the long-term outcomes at skeletal maturity following fronto-orbital advancement (FOA) in patients with metopic synostosis. METHODS: All patients with isolated metopic synostosis who underwent FOA at Sophia Children's Hospital between 2003-2008 were included. Their data were retrospectively reviewed. Head shape analysis was performed on all available 3D images of patients with metopic synostosis at their last follow-up appointment. CranioRate was used to determine pre-operative severity. RESULTS: The total cohort consists of 107 patients, who underwent FOA at the median age of 11 months [IQR 9-12]. Head shape analysis on available 3D images at the age of 17 years (n = 48) showed that patients exhibit notable differences in forehead shape compared to healthy controls, characterized by frontal retrusion and temporal depressions. At late adolescence, 3.7% of patients with metopic synostosis who underwent FOA opted for a secondary recontouring procedure using PMMA. No significant differences were observed in factors such as age at primary surgery, sex, and pre-operative severity between those who underwent secondary recontouring and those who did not. CONCLUSION: At the age of 17 years, patients with metopic synostosis following FOA have evident temporal depressions and frontal retrusion. Initial severity had a minimal effect on these deformities.

Source: Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery

DOI: 10.1097/prs.0000000000012739

Authors: Pauline A.E. Tio, Irene M.J. Mathijssen, Marie-Lise C. van Veelen, Mieke M. Pleumeekers, Tareq Abdel Alim

Institutions: Erasmus MC, Erasmus University Rotterdam

Language: English

Topic: Craniofacial Disorders and Treatments

Subfield: Genetics

Field: Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology

Domain: Life Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: hybrid

Funder: ZonMw