Surgical outcomes in craniosynostosis reconstruction: the use of prefabricated templates in cranial vault remodelling.

Abstract

Cranio-orbital reshaping for anterior cranial-vault deformities associated with craniosynostosis traditionally relies on the surgeon's subjective estimate of the shape and appearance of a normal forehead. Computer-aided design/computer-aided manufacture (CAD/CAM) bandeau templates to guide reconstruction were introduced in our centre to eliminate this subjectivity and to effect more reproducible surgical results. The aim of this study was to compare two groups of patients (template, n = 14 vs. no template, n = 23) to measure surgical outcomes. The virtual, computational version of the template was used as an outcome assessment tool. It was used to calculate an intervening area under the curve (AUC) between the normative template and the patient's reconstructed supra-orbital bar on a representative computed tomography (CT) axial section. A comprehensive chart review was conducted of patients in both groups to examine the preoperative and postoperative variables. Based on the analysis performed on the immediate postoperative CT scans, in the template group - as compared to the control, no-template group - the use of the bandeau template led to a greater reduction in AUC (74% vs. 56%, p = 0.016), indicating a better conformity between the reconstructed supra-orbital bar and the ideal, normal bandeau shape. The duration of operation was significantly reduced with the use of the template (212 vs. 258 min, p < 0.001). The application of prefabricated templates in cranio-orbital reshaping is highly useful for accurate preoperative planning; reproducible and efficient intra-operative correction of dysmorphology; and objective surgical outcomes assessment.