Linear craniectomy for early posterior decompression in craniosynostoses: technique and results

Introduction: Early decompressive posterior linear craniectomy (PLC) can be indicated in very young infants with complex multisuture synostosis, which often involve the lambdoid suture (LS). The literature data on the surgical technique and its results are scarce.

Material and methods: Based on our experience with PLC during the last 10 years, we detail our surgical technique for PLC, the possible pitfalls, and complication avoidance.

Results: We review seven observations, 5 girls and 2 boys, 6 of these with identified mutations, operated for PLC at a mean age of 3.19 months (6 days to 6.1 months). One patient died of unexplained cardiac arrest on postoperative day two, the others had a favorable outcome with good development and no visual loss. Three of these required additional cranioplasty at a later age, one of these with craniofacial distraction.

Discussion: PLC can be a salvage operation in very young patients with complex synostosis involving the LS, and with proper preparation and careful technique, allows favorable outcome. The approach must be versatile in order to anticipate further surgeries in these complex, most often syndromic cases.