Persistent Cranial Defects After Endoscopic Sagittal Synostosis Surgery.

Introduction: Incomplete cranial ossification is a rare complication of calvarial-vault remodeling for sagittal synostosis often requiring reoperation. Studies show an incidence ranging from 0.5% to 18%.

Neosagittal Suture Formation after Endoscopic Sagittal Strip Craniectomy: A Case Report and Literature Review.

The fate of the excised synostotic suture in craniosynostosis remains relatively understudied. The purpose of this report is to describe a case of neosagittal suture formation following endoscopic excision of a pathology-proven synostotic suture, with CT demonstration of complete reossification in the areas adjacent to the neosagittal suture. We additionally review the existing literature on neosuture formation that has been published over the past 50 years.

Endoscopic Spring-Mediated Distraction for Unilambdoid Craniosynostosis.

Background: Craniosynostosis treatment modalities have changed over time. These have included open calvarial remodeling, suturectomy with helmet molding, hand-powered distraction devices, and spring-mediated distraction. Implantable springs were first described for their use in treatment of craniosynostosis in 1998 (Lauritzen et al, Plast Reconstr Surg 121;2008:545-554).

The Pushback Pharyngeal Flap: An 18-Year Experience.

Background: The pharyngeal flap is one of the oldest and most popular techniques for correction of velopharyngeal insufficiency. The authors describe a large series using a technique that combines a pharyngeal flap with a palate pushback to avoid common causes of operative failure while restoring the velopharyngeal mechanism.

Methods: A retrospective cohort study was performed of patients who underwent a pushback pharyngeal flap by a single surgeon from 2000 to 2017.

Single Stage Repair of #30 Facial Cleft with Bone Morphogenic Protein.

Tessier #30 clefts (median mandibular clefts) represent a spectrum of deformities ranging from a minor cleft in the lower lip to complete clefts of the mandible involving the tongue, lower lip, hyoid bone, thyroid cartilages, and manubrium. Various techniques have been used to address these problems; the most common procedure involving 2 stages: an initial correction of the soft tissue followed by closure of the mandibular cleft at a later date using bone grafting. This approach was subsequently reduced to a single operation, but still required harvesting of autologous bone graft.

Isolated Intraorbital Frontosphenoidal Synostosis.

Unilateral anterior plagiocephaly is most commonly the result of deformational plagiocephaly or unilateral coronal synostosis, a premature fusion of the frontoparietal suture. However, other sutures within the coronal ring have been implicated in producing anterior cranial asymmetries. These fusions can occur in isolation or in concert with adjacent sutures.

Vermilion Only Cross-lip Flap for Treating Whistle Deformity in Secondary Bilateral Cleft Lip Repair.

Bilateral cleft lip repairs can result in various secondary deformities. One more commonly seen deformity, the whistle deformity, is characterized by a reduced or absent tubercle, orbicularis muscle diastasis, and abnormalities of the philtrum with notched appearance of cupid's bow. Various techniques have been described to address these problems.

CO2-based tissue expansion: a study of initial performance in ovine subjects.

Background: Tissue expanders are an essential reconstructive surgical tool commonly utilized in two-staged breast reconstruction. The current technology is limited primarily to saline expansion, which can be a long process requiring frequent office visits. Eliminating the need for percutaneous injections could potentially improve the psychological and physical discomfort associated with the expansion process as well as save time and resources for both the patient and surgeon.