Fronto-orbital Advancement Surgery Research Articles

Evaluation of Complications After Pediatric Fronto-orbital Advancement Surgery: Review of National Billing Database

Evaluation of Complications After Pediatric Fronto-orbital Advancement Surgery: Review of National Billing Database

Continuous hemoglobin measurement during frontal advancement operations can improve patient outcomes.

Massive hemorrhage in pediatric cranioplasty operations may necessitate blood transfusion, which may cause many complications. Radical-7 Pulse CO-Oximeter (Massimo Corporation, Irvine, CA) can provide continuous hemoglobin concentration (SpHb) measurements noninvasively. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the effects of SpHb measurement on perioperative transfusion management and postoperative patient outcomes. For this retrospective case-control study, we collected the data of pediatric patients undergoing fronto-orbital advancement surgery for plagiocephaly and trigonocephaly between 2018 and 2021. Perioperative SpHb monitoring was performed for patients in the SpHb Group. Other patients that were managed conventionally were considered as the control group (C Group). The data on patients' demographic and clinical characteristics, intraoperative hemodynamic and laboratory variables such as blood gases, intraoperative blood losses, the amount of the transfused blood products, the length of postoperative intensive care unit (ICU) stay, and the duration of hospital stay were collected. The data of 42 patients were collected, and 29 of these patients were males (69%). In 16 of the patients, SpHb monitoring was performed. The demographic, clinical, and perioperative hemodynamic characteristics of the patients were comparable between the groups. Compared to the C Group, the SpHb Group had significantly lower perioperative packed red blood cell (PRBC) transfusion (136.3 ± 40.1 vs. 181.5 ± 74.8mL, P = 0.015), less postoperative drainage (125.3 ± 47.7 vs. 185.8 ± 97.6mL, P = 0.013), and shorter ICU stay (37.1 ± 12.0 vs. 64.8 ± 24.9h, P < 0.001). There was a positive correlation between the amount of PRBC transfusion and the length of ICU stay (r = 0.459, P = 0.003). Patients with perioperative continuous SpHb measurement have lower intraoperative PRBC transfusion, less postoperative bleeding, and shorter ICU stay. When necessary, SpHb, together with clinical judgment and laboratory confirmation, can be used in decision-making for perioperative PRBC transfusion.

Anesthetic challenges involved in successful resuscitation of a child from cardiac arrest secondary to massive hemorrhage and possible venous air embolism while undergoing fronto-orbital advancement surgery for metopic craniosynostosis

A one year 3 month old child undergoing fronto-orbital advancement surgery for metopic craniosynostosis had severe bleeding when the surgeon attempted to remove bone flap. Head-end elevation was given at the surgeon’s request to reduce bleeding. Immediately there was a drastic fall in end tidal carbon dioxide (ETCO) and arterial saturation (SpO). Considering air embolism, fraction of inspired oxygen (FiO) was increased to 100% and the surgeon filled the field with saline and covered the area with wet gauze. The operating table was leveled. The child continued to deteriorate with the cardiac rhythm changing to pulseless electrical activity and asystole. Incremental bolus doses of adrenaline, blood products transfusion, fluid bolus and infusion of inotropes were given. Chest compression was not done as the endotracheal tube was fixed to the chest of the patient. Tube dislodgement without access to the head-end of the patient would have been a disaster. The child became hemodynamically stable, the surgery continued and the child was extubated the next day. Other than focal seizures which responded to levetiracetam, the child had no neurological deficits.

A new approach of crenellated fronto-orbital advancement for the management of trigonocephaly: Technical note

Trigonocephaly is a craniosynostosis characterized by a premature fusion of the metopic suture associating a characteristic triangular head shape, with a frontal medial crest and hypotelorism. Various techniques have been described for its surgical treatment which is usually performed during the first year of life. However, there might be cases with a late referral, after the age of one year. One of the technical issues with a fronto-orbital advancement surgery in a child over one year of age is that there is a significant risk of persistent residual bone defects. This article describes a surgical technique of crenellated fronto-orbital advancement for correcting trigonocephaly in children over one year of age, allowing to reduce residual bone defects.

\u201cBlack bone\u201d: the new backbone in CAD/CAM-assisted craniosynostosis surgery?

BackgroundComputer-assisted design and manufacturing (CAD/CAM) techniques have been implemented in craniosynostosis surgery to facilitate cranial remodeling. However, until now, computed tomography (CT) scans with ionizing radiation were necessary to plan the procedure and create guiding templates. The purpose of this study was to present our series using CAD/CAM techniques in planning and conducting fronto-orbital advancement surgery in patients with trigonocephaly with datasets acquired only by “black bone” magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).MethodsSix consecutively operated cases from 2019 were included in this study. All patients suffered from non-syndromic trigonocephaly with no primary surgeries. All patients underwent cranial MRI including black bone sequences. Preoperative planning and guides were created based on the DICOM datasets. We analyzed demographic data, clinical data, and outcome measured by Whitaker score.ResultsIn all cases, precise frontobasal advancement was possible with the CAD/CAM guides created by black bone MRI. The mean operation time and planning time were 222 and 32 min. The time on intensive and intermediate care unit (ICU/IMC) time was 4.5 days, respectively. All but one case were classified as Whitaker I.ConclusionIn trigonocephaly treatment by frontobasal advancement, black bone MRI-based CAD/CAM craniosynostosis surgery is safe and feasible. It offers the major advantage of completely avoiding CT scans and ionizing radiation with superior imaging quality of intracranial structures. Thus, it improves intraoperative safety and—at the same time—has the potential to reduce operating room (OR) time.

The Effect of Fronto-Orbital Advancement on Frontal Sinus Development and Function in Non-Syndromic and Syndromic Craniosynostosis.

The impact of fronto-orbital advancement (FOA) on frontal sinus development and function is anecdotally variable. The aim of this study was to assess the impact of FOA on development of frontal sinuses, and additionally to identify the complications that might arise out of such procedures. This was a retrospective case-control study. Non-syndromic and syndromic craniosynostosis patients (n = 58) who underwent FOA at an early age and also had a skull radiograph or CT scan after the age of 12 were selected. Age matched trauma patients with CT scans done beyond 12 years of age were used as controls. Age at first FOA surgery, total number of procedures and age at imaging was noted. Presence or absence of frontal sinuses was assessed using imaging studies initially. Patients with a formed frontal sinus and a CT scan were further chosen for volumetric studies. Complications related to frontal sinus and secondary surgeries were recorded. One of 27 non-syndromic patients had absent frontal sinuses. Seven of 31 syndromic patients had absent sinuses. Among 20 controls, only 1 patient did not develop frontal sinuses. The mean age at first FOA was 11.81 months and 18.25 months for non-syndromic and syndromic groups, respectively. The average number of procedures before 12 years of age was 1.25 and 1.51 for non-syndromic and syndromic patients, respectively. The mean age at imaging was 17.74, 20.96, and 20.25 years for non-syndromic, syndromic and control groups, respectively. The mean frontal sinus volumes were 13050.36, 15039.02, and 8459.48 mm for non-syndromic, syndromic and control groups, respectively. In conclusion, FOA does not seem to have an impact on rate of pneumatization in the background of similar rates in the non-syndromic and control groups. The low pneumatization rate in syndromic group might be a virtue of the disease itself. There were significant frontal sinus complications that occurred after fronto orbital advancement and this should be borne in mind during the surgical consenting process.

Personalized Optimal Planning for the Surgical Correction of Metopic Craniosynostosis.

We introduce a quantitative and automated method for personalized cranial shape remodeling via fronto-orbital advancement surgery. This paper builds on an objective method for automatic quantification of malformations caused by metopic craniosynostosis in children and presents a framework for personalized interventional planning. First, skull malformations are objectively quantified using a statistical atlas of normal cranial shapes. Then, we propose a method based on poly-rigid image registration that takes into account both the clinical protocol for fronto-orbital advancement and the physical constraints in the skull to plan the creation of the optimal post-surgical shape. Our automated surgical planning technique aims to minimize cranial malformations. The method was used to calculate the optimal shape for 11 infants with age 3.8±3.0 month old presenting metopic craniosynostosis and cranial malformations. The post-surgical cranial shape provided for each patient presented a significant average malformation reduction of 49% in the frontal cranial bones, and achieved shapes whose malformations were within healthy ranges. To our knowledge, this is the first work that presents an automatic framework for an objective and personalized surgical planning for craniosynostosis treatment.

Computer-Assisted Virtual Planning and Surgical Template Fabrication for Fronto-orbital Advancement

Aim: A novel technique using computer-assisted design (CAD) and computed assisted manufacturing (CAM) for the fabrication of individualized 3D printed surgical templates for fronto-orbital advancement surgery in craniosynostosis surgery is presented. Methods: Five patients underwent a fronto-orbital advancement surgery using the new technique. Four patients had a unilateral coronal synostosis and one patient a metopic synostosis. Virtual surgical planning was performed using SurgiCase (CMF, v5.0, Materialise, Belgium). A novel algorithm was developed combining virtual mirroring techniques and superposition of age-matched normative 3D pediatric skull models. Surgical templates were fabricated using a 3D printer, based on the virtual plan. Bifrontal craniotomy and the osteotomies for the orbital bandeau were performed based on the sterilized 3D templates. The remodeling was then done placing the bone plates within the negative 3D templates and fixing those using absorbable PDLLA plates and screws (SonicWeld, KLS Martin, Tuttlingen, Germany). Results: All patients showed a satisfying correction of cranial deformity postoperatively and at follow-up at 1 and 3 months. No surgery-related complications occurred. The cutting and positioning of the 3D surgical templates proved to be very accurate and easy to use as well as reproducible and efficient. Conclusions: Computer-assisted virtual planning and 3D template fabrication for fronto-orbital advancement surgery lead to reconstructions based on standardized measurements, preclude subjective remodeling, and seem to be overall safe and feasible. An ongoing prospective study with a planned follow-up of 5 years will be conducted at out institution for further evaluation of this novel technique.

Growth of the orbit after frontoorbital advancement using nonrigid suture vs rigid plate fixation technique

Purpose To demonstrate whether a measurable difference occurs on the growth of the orbit when using 2 forms of stabilization of the supra-orbital rim after upper orbital osteotomy in children with craniosynostosis. The 2 methods of fixation include sutures providing nonrigid fixation and titanium or resorbable osteosynthesis plates. Patients and Methods In this prospective randomized study, the influence of the mentioned fixation materials was analyzed in a tertiary care center (university hospital). Sixteen consecutive children with craniosynostoses (trigonocephaly, brachycephaly, plagiocephaly) were included. All patients underwent bilateral frontoorbital advancement surgery. In 8 patients each, the fixation of the mobilized and reshaped supraorbital rim was carried out using either miniplates or sutures, resulting in a rigid or nonrigid fixation. By means of computed tomography scans taken preoperatively (mean age, 8months) and postoperatively (mean age, 6.5years), the development of the orbit was measured using the anterior interorbital distance, lateral orbital distance, medial orbital-wall length, lateral orbital-wall length, and medial orbital-wall protrusion. The results were compared to norm values and statistically evaluated. Result In all patients, a long-term improvement of the orbit was achieved with absolute distances staying below norm values. The choice of the fixation material was of minor importance. Conclusion Sutures providing nonrigid fixation of bone flaps seem to be feasible in reaching the aims of surgery in craniosynostotic children.

Amblyogenic anisometropia in the contralateral eye in unicoronal craniosynostosis

To describe the prevalence and nature of anisometropic refractive errors in children with unilateral coronal craniosynostosis. Retrospective chart review of children with unilateral coronal craniosynostosis who underwent ophthalmic evaluation, including refraction. Refraction was available for 25 of 61 children with unilateral coronal craniosynostosis. Of the 25, 56% had amblyogenic anisometropia. Of these, 79% had the greater refractive error contralateral to the coronal synostosis, mostly (91%) consisting of greater with-the-rule astigmatism in the contralateral eye. Seventy-two percent of Hispanic children had amblyogenic anisometropia, compared with only 14% of non-Hispanic children (p= 0.02). Although Hispanic children tended to receive both surgery and ophthalmic evaluation at older ages than non-Hispanic children, these factors did not appear to account for the difference between ethnicities. There was no detectable association between anisometropia and the timing of fronto-orbital advancement surgery. Children with unilateral coronal craniosynostosis are at increased risk of developing amblyogenic levels of anisometropia in the eye contralateral to the synostosis and require early evaluation and refraction even in the absence of strabismus.

Delayed development of frontal mucocele after fronto-orbital advancement in a child with craniosynostosis

Background Sinus mucoceles rarely develop as a consequence of inadequate sinus ventilation that arises due to inflammation, allergy, polyps, tumors, surgery, and trauma. The development of frontal sinus is delayed until older than 6 years. Therefore, the development of the mucocele in the frontal sinus after fronto-orbital advancement surgery in young children with craniosynostosis may provide essential information for the development of the frontal sinus. Case Description We report a rare case of a 22-year-old man presenting with a frontal mucocele manifested by dull headache, proptosis, and diplopia, and which developed 16 years after fronto-orbital advancement surgery for craniosynostosis. Magnetic resonance imaging demonstrated that a multiple cystic mass extended from the frontal sinus to the retro-orbital space along the optic nerve. During surgery, we found that the cyst consisted of mostly thin, yellow mucosa, which developed from an anomalously overdeveloped frontal sinus containing yellow pus-like intracystic fluid. There was no gross local invasion by the cyst. We easily dissected and removed the mucosal cyst from the large frontal sinus completely with frontal sinus obliteration. We cranialized the anomalously large frontal sinus by removal of the posterior wall of the frontal sinus and then widening the ethmoidal drainage with endoscopic ethmoidectomy. Conclusion We report the first case of a frontal sinus mucocele that developed after fronto-orbital advancement surgery in the literature and suggest that the mucocele development after fronto-orbital advancement supports the hypothesis of frontal bone-inducing role in frontal sinus development.

Changes in orbital volume during childhood in cases of craniosynostosis.

Controversy remains concerning the timing of frontoorbital advancement (FOA) surgery performed for craniosynostosis. Reduced orbital volume and degree of exorbitism are often cited as reasons for early surgical intervention. To date, however, little attention has been given to orbital volume and its changes during the first few years of life as an indicator of orbital growth in children with craniosynostosis. Knowledge of orbital volume and growth patterns in individuals with craniosynostosis and those with normal cranial structures will enable surgeons to refine both the type and timing of surgical intervention required, thus obtaining the optimum outcome for their patients. Using the procedure of segmentation, orbital volumes in 50 children with various forms of craniosynostosis were measured on preoperative computerized tomography scans. Changes in average volume that occur with increasing age were calculated and compared with a model of normal orbital volume growth. At presentation the children with craniosynostosis ranged in age from 1 to 29 months, with 82% of them within the 1st year of life. Several interesting observations emerged from this study. Excluding patients with unilateral coronal synostosis, there was no difference between orbital volumes measured on the right and left sides, allowing mean orbital volume measurements to be used for comparative purposes. Although children with craniosynostosis begin life with significantly smaller orbital volumes, overall normal mean volumes for both sexes are attained by 13 months of age, with volumes approaching normal by 6 months of age in male infants and by 8 months of age in female infants. Changes in orbital volume associated with age generally appear to be similar in most forms of craniosynostosis. There appears to be no significant difference in changes in orbital volume between children with syndromic or nonsyndromic forms of bicoronal synostosis. Orbital volume is significantly reduced on the ipsilateral affected side in cases of unicoronal synostosis in comparison with the contalateral side, but it is not significantly lower than that of normal. Finally, FOA surgery appears to restore normal growth of orbital volume. The results of this study indicate that the underlying mechanism leading to craniosynostosis and restriction of orbital volume "burns out" and begins to lose its major effects within the first few months of life. It would appear that FOA surgery should be delayed until the end of the second half of the 1st year of life, thus maximizing the effects of accelerated normal orbital growth and reducing the risks of relapse.