BACKGROUND: Craniofacial surgery has overcome many challenges since its initiation into clinical practice. Several technical issues have been addressed and the basic infrastructure of the specialty has now been developed. At present, 25 years after the first publications on frontofacial advancement, questions still remain as to the appropriate age for surgery and the appropriate type of surgery that should be performed. The aim of this study was to evaluate patients surgically treated for syndromic craniosynostosis over the last 10 years at our institution. METHODS: All syndromic patients who underwent monobloc frontofacial advancement or only isolated facial advancement from 2001 to 2011were selected. Out of 70 patients in total, 56 underwent monobloc frontofacial advancement and 14 underwent facial advancement after fronto-orbital remodeling. All data concerning these patients were correlated with patient age and final result. Moreover, age at surgery, complications, and final results were correlated with the main preexisting problems. RESULTS: Final results for syndromic patients varied, depending on the syndrome and the age at which the procedure was performed. Monobloc frontofacial advancements had a low index of immediate postoperative complications, but there was a clear need for further procedures at the time of final facial growth. The index of positive outcome was higher in patients who underwent surgery at an older age. CONCLUSIONS: In cases of severe craniosynostosis with functional problems, monobloc frontofacial advancement is still the best therapeutic option.
Craniosynostoses; Craniofacial abnormalities; Outcome assessment
