INTRODUCTION: Unilateral coronal synostosis (UCS) is a premature fusion of the coronal suture and leads to a three-dimensional deformity that affects the cranium and orbits. The aim of this study was to compare craniofacial skeleton asymmetry preoperatively and postoperatively. METHODS: This is a retrospective study with nine patients who underwent treatment of unilateral coronal synostosis, between January 2007 and December 2010. Four patients were female and five male. The craniofacial measurements were done to quantify an index of craniofacial asymmetry preoperatively and compare to those obtained postoperatively. The craniofacial index (CI) was obtained by calculating the difference between the higher oblique measurement of the craniofacial skeleton and lower oblique measurement of the craniofacial skeleton. RESULTS: The average age of the patients who had undergone to unilateral coronal synostosis correction was 2 years and 1 month. The average time of surgery was 2 hours and 46 minutes. The blood volume transfused was 280 cc. The CI preoperatively was 1.045 and postoperatively was 1.009 (p=0.0109), indicating a tendency to craniofacial symmetry. CONCLUSION: The treatment of UCS was efficient. Bone overcorrection was necessary to achieve its goal of symmetry in the postoperative period.
Craniosynostoses; Plagiocephaly; Craniofacial abnormalities
