Craniosynostosis:

Defined as the preventive closure of the sutures of the cranial vault. Premature closure of a suture of the cranium results in restricted growth perpendicular to the abnormal suture. This leads to abnormal contouring of the cranial vault.

There are 4 types of craniosynostosis:

• Sagittal Synostosis results in scaphocephaly
• Coronal Synostosis results in frontal plagiocephaly
• Metopic Synostosis results in trigonocephaly
• Lambdoid Synostosis results in occipital plagiocephaly

The goal of craniofacial surgical reconstruction is to release the arrested suture and permit normal growth of the skull in the setting of cerebral growth. Cosmesis, intracranial pressure elevation and brain development all play a role in the decision-making. Extremely complicated conditions require a thorough evaluation by a craniofacial team including a pediatric neurosurgeon and facial reconstructive surgeon.