An Auxiliary Cranioparietal Anchorage System to Improve the Stability of the Rigid External Distraction Device in Children With Crouzon Syndrome

Abstract

: Rigid external distraction (RED) device instability because of thin skulls in syndromic craniosynostosis patients remains challenging. The authors propose the use of an auxiliary cranioparietal anchorage system to improve RED device stability in patients with Crouzon syndrome. Five consecutive patients with Crouzon syndrome underwent Le Fort III osteotomy with midface advancement using a modified external device. Cephalometric analysis and three-dimensional computed tomography images were evaluated preoperatively and after device removal. Mechanical analyses of the RED device with and without the auxiliary cranioparietal anchorage system were performed. Both postoperative photographs and follow-up computed tomographs showed obvious midfacial advancement with no intracranial pin perforation or external frame migration. Mechanical analysis showed that the new system reduced the possibility of postoperative external frame migration. The auxiliary cranioparietal anchorage system might be considered an adjunct to the RED device in patients with Crouzon syndrome to avoid postoperative complications.