Craniosynostosis

Your child’s skull is made up of five major skull bones. Between them are growth plates called sutures. The baby’s brain grows rapidly during the first year of life, and the sutures allow space for the bones to stretch and expand.

What Is Craniosynostosis?

Craniosynostosis occurs when one or more of the sutures fuse abnormally, causing problems with skull and brain growth. Abnormal closure of the sutures can cause pressure on the brain and can cause the skull and facial bones to change, giving the child an abnormal head shape. In some children, craniosynostosis can be associated with a genetic syndrome.

The diagnosis of craniosynostosis is made based on physical exam and confirmed with imaging studies: X-rays and head CT.

Types of Craniosynostosis

Diagram of sagittal craniosynostosis — Image Source: US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Coronal Craniosynostosis — Image Source: US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Our team receives referrals from pediatricians, orthotists, geneticists and other specialists to evaluate infants and children with skull shape deformities. We also evaluate and treat children and adults who may have had previous surgical repair for craniosynostosis and need to establish ongoing care.

Endoscopic Metopic Synostosis Repair

Albert Woo, MD, chief of plastic surgery at Hasbro Children’s Hospital, highlights a unique and minimally-invasive surgical procedure for metopic synostosis in infants.

If you have concerns about the shape of your infant's head, contact a specialist as soon as possible.

The endoscopic procedure to correct craniosynostosis is only possible when the baby is three to four months old, so it’s crucial to assess the infant early.

Pediatric plastic surgeon Albert Woo, MD, and pediatric neurosurgeon Konstantina Svokos, DO, collaborate to perform these delicate procedures.

A toddler after treatment for Craniosynostosis.

Contact the Craniosynostosis Team

If you have questions or would like to set up an appointment, please call 401-444-3457.

Surgical Options for Craniosynostosis

There are two surgical approaches to correcting craniosynostosis.

Endoscopic strip craniectomy surgery is a less invasive surgical option for infants with craniosynostosis diagnosed before 3 months of age. The procedure is done together by a plastic surgeon and neurosurgeon. The doctors make one to two small incisions on the top of the head. A small camera and instruments are placed through the incisions to remove the abnormal strip of fused bone. Most infants have minimal blood loss and usually do not need a blood transfusion. Children are admitted to the hospital for one to two days. Your child will need to wear a helmet after surgery to help reshape the skull deformity. You will meet with the orthotist, a therapist who makes and adjusts the helmet, before and after surgery. Typically, the baby starts wearing the helmet the day after surgery. The helmet is worn 23 hours per day until the child is about one year of age.

Endoscopic Release of Cranial Sutures Post-Operative Patient Instructions (PDF) »

Open or cranial vult reconstruction surgery is performed on children with craniosynostosis at any age. The procedure is done together by a plastic surgeon and neurosurgeon. The doctors make a long zig zag incision over the top of the scalp. The skull is reconstructed by making a series of cuts in the bone that allow the surgeon to reshape the skull. Sometimes the doctors use dissolvable plates and screws to hold the bones of the skull in place. Immediately after surgery, the skull shape is improved and will continue to improve over time. Many children will need a blood transfusion and are admitted to the hospital for three to five days. The child does not need to wear a helmet after the open procedure.

Cranial Vault Remodeling Post-Operative Patient Instructions (PDF) »

Endoscopic Strip Craniectomy

Surgery is done by three months of age
Surgery is one to two hours
Patients usually do not need a blood transfusion
Hospital stay is usually one to two days
There are two small scars
Infants wear a helmet until one year of age to help change the skull shape. This requires frequent visits to the orthotist.

Open Cranial Vault

Surgery may be done at any age
Surgery is three to seven hours
It usually requires blood transfusion
Hospital stay is usually three to five days
There is a long scar over top of scalp, but is usually well covered by hair within six months
No need for helmeting after surgery

Please review the following post-operative instructions. In order to prevent injury, promote healing, and maintain your child's comfort, it is important that you follow these guidelines for the first several weeks after your child’s surgery.

(All links are to PDF documents.)

Cranial Vault Remodeling (Neurosurgery and Plastic Surgery)

Endoscopic Cranial Suture Release