Surgical treatment of congenital cranial anomalies (craniosynostosis)

       Congenital cranial anomalies are mostly caused by premature closure of one or more cranial sutures and are a relatively common group of congenital craniomaxillofacial anomalies. Due to the different locations and numbers of premature closure of cranial sutures, it can lead to different craniofacial deformities, such as acrocephaly, oblique head deformity, short head deformity, long head deformity, etc. Craniosynostosis can be divided into simple craniosynostosis and syndromic craniosynostosis (crouzon syndrome, Apert syndrome, etc.). In the latter case, the deformity is often more severe and the symptoms of increased intracranial pressure occur earlier, which may be accompanied by mid-facial dysplasia, brain developmental disorders, mental retardation, and in some cases, limb deformities.  Diagnosis: The diagnosis of craniosynostosis is usually divided into the following steps: 1) medical history and clinical manifestations; 2) physical examination; 3) cranial X-ray; 4) 3D CT. Timing of surgery and selection of surgical plan: 1) The age of surgery for simple craniosynostosis is mostly performed in the first 10 months after birth. The advantages of this surgery are: (1) Within 1 year after birth is the fastest stage of brain growth and development. Before the rapid growth period of the brain, the closed cranial cavity is fully opened to provide ample space for brain development, which not only can treat or prevent the occurrence of intracranial hypertension, but also can reduce the development of orbital and nasal deformities.  (2) Using the intrinsic power of dural expansion and swelling during brain development to eliminate intracranial cavities and ensure normal development of cranio-orbital morphology.  (3) At this stage, the bone regeneration ability is so strong that many large bone defects left after the expansion of cranio-orbital osteotomy can be completely repaired without bone grafting. (This is completely different from surgery in older patients.) In addition, the bone is thin and elastic, which facilitates the surgical operation and greatly shortens the operation time.  The treatment of syndromic premature closure of cranial suture is more complicated, and the surgical plan should be reasonably designed according to the condition of the child and carried out in stages and steps: (1) If there are obvious symptoms of increased intracranial pressure in the neonatal period (which can be confirmed by X-ray examination), the coronal suture should be loosened early (around 10 months) and the frontal bone should be shaped anteriorly.  For early frontal shaping, frontal orbital advancement or forehead floating bone flap is feasible, which can not only prevent or treat cranial pressure increase, but also reduce further deformation and bad growth changes of the skull and skull base. During this period of rapid brain development, timely release of the cranial suture provides enough space in the anterior cranial fossa to release the pressure of the cranial cavity on the brain tissue, which can avoid possible brain tissue damage, and can use the forward thrust force of brain development to promote the development of the skull and skull base, and even the middle of the face. Increase the volume of the bony orbital cavity and improve the symptoms of proptosis. In early childhood, if progressive increase in cranial pressure is detected, the frontal orbital osteotomy with forward thrusting or even a cranial suture release extension of the posterior cranial fossa is needed again. The procedure is indicated when early treatment is delayed until the age of 4 years, and is more complicated after 4 years due to the facial deformity and the development of frontal sinus.  (2) In children with severe mid-facial recession, due to the influence of breathing, chewing disorder and psychological development, it is feasible to push forward the frontal orbit and move forward the mid-facial region to further correct the mid-facial deformity and skull shaping at the age of 5 to 12 years. By Le Fort III osteotomy, the whole middle face can be pushed forward to improve the facial shape and eye projection.  (3) The Le Fort III osteotomy can not completely correct the open and backward joint, and the misalignment of the occlusal relationship can be corrected by Le Fort I osteotomy after the development of the definite shape, and the maxilla can be adjusted horizontally, vertically and anterior-posteriorly to correct the serious misalignment and cooperate with orthodontic treatment. For deformities of the lower face, chin osteotomy is feasible.