CRANIOSYNOSTOSIS IN BABIES - COMPLICATIONS AND MANAGEMENT OF 40 CASES

Forty Consecutive craniofacial cases in babies operated on in a distri ct general hospital by a craniofacial team consisting of maxillofacial and neurosurgeons are reviewed with regard to diagnosis, surgical tre atment, complications and outcome. Surgery achieved the release of cra niosynostosis and the treatment protocol, and perioperative complicati ons are discussed. Dural breaches occurred on four occasions with no p ostoperative sequelae. Blood transfusion was required in all cases wit h an average replacement of 36% estimated blood volume (EBV). No centr al nervous system complications occurred but in one case a brachial pl exus haematoma resulted in a temporary neuropraxia to the shoulder. No major infections or deaths occurred in this series.