Simulation of surgery for craniosynostosis: a training model in a fresh cadaveric sheep cranium

Abstract

The authors present a training model in sheep crania that allows residents in neurosurgery and plastic surgery to practice the frontoorbital remodeling procedure used in the surgical correction of simple craniosynostoses such as plagiocephaly, trigonocephaly, and brachiocephaly. The model comprises a three-step approach: subperiosteal and subperiorbital dissection; elevation of the bifrontal bone flap and the supraorbital bar; and finally, frontoorbital remodeling. The authors conclude that this training model, based on the use of cadaveric sheep crania, represents a fairly useful method to accustom trainees to the required surgical techniques and simulates well the steps of standard pediatric and adult craniofacial surgery for simple craniosynostosis.