[Craniostenosis and Craniofacial Dysmorphia]

Thauvoy, Christian [UCL] Moulin, Didier [UCL] Reychler, Hervé [UCL] Scholtes, Jean-Louis [UCL]

The paper gives a brief historical survey of craniostenosis and the first operative approaches. The authors describe a classification of various types of cranio-facio-stenosis and facio-cranio-stenosis and present a detailed study of their experience in this area. Operative results are discussed in function of the selected surgical procedure, the immediate per- and post-operative complications and the short and long term morbidity. The authors present their current attitude for each dysmorphic type. They underline the heavy nature of this long-lasting and bleeding surgical procedure that concerns small children. They have recorded 31 incidents in relation with surgical procedure, 10 complications at short and long term, and 1 death. Such surgery requires an experienced and vigilant team, associating surgeons, anesthesists and intensive-care physicians.