3D Printing in Cranioplasty for Giant Cranial Deformity with Multi-Dimensional Nuclear Magnetic Simulation

This article is based on 3D printing technology, through multi-dimensional nuclear magnetic stimulation to the in-depth study of the application of plastic surgery in patients with giant cranial deformity cranial reduction, first of all, patients with CT scan of the brain, based on CT data for 3D reconstruction, 3D geometric modeling, using 3D printing Prepare multiple skull 1:1 scale, solid models, perform surgical planning and drills, determine the surgical plan (related parameters such as surgical time, cranial cavity volume, frontal plane ratio, anterior-posterior diameter, left-right diameter, head-to-height ratio, etc.), it can increase the patient’s speed and stride, and complete a variety of material tests. The 3D printing group had lower pain VAS scores at 1 h and 24 h after surgery than the traditional data group. The same data observed from different dimensions may yield different results, but also enable people to understand the nature of things more comprehensively and clearly. It was statistically significant (P < 0.05). The postoperative swelling of the 3D printing group was less than that of the customary group, and the difference was statistically significant (P < 0.05). Through 12 months of follow up observation, the power of 3D printing is higher than that of the habitual group, and the difference is statistically significant (P < 0.05). This technology has an important guiding significance in future related treatment technology.

Spring-assisted minimally invasive repair of sagittal craniosynostosis

Craniosynostosis surgery is intended to repair cranial deformity, reduce the risk of increased intracranial pressure from cephalocranial disproportion, and reduce the risk of developmental delays. In recent years, minimally invasive surgical techniques have been developed to achieve these goals with less tissue disruption, lower rates of transfusion, and shorter recovery time. The operation focuses on unlocking the fused bones, while reshaping relies on an adjunct, most commonly a postoperative cranial molding helmet. As an alternative to the care-intensive helmeting process, reshaping with implanted cranial expander springs has emerged. In this video, the authors demonstrate their technique for spring-assisted minimally invasive repair of sagittal craniosynostosis. The video can be found here: https://vimeo.com/513923721

Telescoping with Multiple Revolution Cranial Osteotomies in Patients with Simple Craniosynostosis

Simple craniosynostosis is a cranial deformity that occurs secondary to a premature closure of one or more sutures, with a consequent alteration in cranial growth and cerebral expansion. The cranial alteration presents as flattening parallel to the compromised suture, with compensatory bulging in a perpendicular vector. The surgical treatment consists in cranial decompressions with suturectomies and simultaneous cranioplasties. Dynamic multiple revolution osteotomies allow the design of bone flaps that can help with decompression and correct secondary deformities caused by the synostosis. This multicenter descriptive case series study assessed 52 patients (12 plagiocephaly, 29 scaphocephaly, 7 brachycephaly and 4 trigonocephaly) operated in Cali, Colombia. In each case, suturectomy and telescoping with multiple revolution cranial osteotomies were designed to correct each particular deformity. No clinical complications were observed in the postoperative period (1, 90, and 180 days), and excellent outcomes with no re ossification of sutures and maintenance of the cranioplasty, based on clinical observation and findings in the 3D reconstruction scans.

Infant Cranial Deformity: Cranial Helmet Therapy or Physiotherapy?

Objective: To compare cranial helmet therapy (CHT) and physiotherapy (PT) for the effective treatment of positional plagiocephaly in infants in terms of improving functional recovery. Methods: This was a prospective cohort study involving 48 infants between 5–10 months of age with cranial deformities. The Cranial Vault Asymmetry Index (CVAI) and the Brunet–Lezine scale were calculated at the initiation of the study and after 40 treatment sessions. Results: The infants’ first assessment showed a delay in overall development areas with a global developmental quotient (DQ) (posture, coordination, sociability, and language) of 80.15. Although developmental improvements were observed in both groups in the Brunet–Lezine scale after treatment, the MANCOVA test showed no significant differences (F(5) = 0.82, p = 0.506, eta2 = 0.09). The CVAI reduced to 4.07% during the final evaluation in the cranial helmet group and 5.85% in the physiotherapy group without any significant differences between the two therapies (p = 0.70). Conclusions: No statistically significant differences were found between CHT and PT. After treatment, improvements from baseline measurements were observed in each of the readings of cranial deformity.

A Prospective Study of Cranial Deformity and Delayed Development in Children

Plagiocephaly, the most common form of cranial deformity, has become more prevalent in recent years. Many authors have described a number of sequelae of poorly defined etiologies, although several gaps exist in their real scope. This study aimed to analyze the effects of physiotherapy treatments and cranial orthoses on the psychomotor development of infants with cranial deformities, complemented by protocolized postural exercises applied by the family. This prospective study on different developmental areas included a sample of 48 breastfeeding infants aged 6 to 18 months who presented with plagiocephaly (flat head syndrome). The Brunet–Lézine scale was used to perform three tests for assessing the psychomotor development of infants, thus offering a measure for global development. The results suggest that plagiocephaly is a marker for the risk of delayed development, particularly in motor and language areas. This delayed development could be improved with physiotherapy and orthopedic treatment, complemented by interventions by the infants´ relatives.

Application of Computer 3D Digital Technology in Surgical Treatment of Pediatric Skull Deformity

Pediatric skull deformity requires immediate surgery as indicated by increased cranial pressure, mental retardation, impaired or absent vision, cranial deformity, and mental and spiritual defects. This study explores the application value of computer aided simulation in treatment of pediatric skull deformity. The application of computer simulation surgery in the treatment of children with pediatric skull deformity allows surgeons to be familiar with the operation process in advance. The use of computer 3D digital technology for preoperative design planning and simulation can reduce surgical difficulty to a certain extent, improve surgical efficiency, significantly increase intraoperative accuracy, and also reduce the risk of intraoperative bleeding and postoperative complications.