The Use of Virtual Surgical Planning for Reduction Cranioplasty

Hydrocephalic macrocephaly may occur as a result of untreated hydrocephalus. Reduction cranioplasty is the treatment of choice for these patients when the weight of their head interferes with normal development and negatively impacts quality of life. However, this procedure has several associated risks, including prolonged anesthesia, significant blood loss, and death. Virtual surgical planning (VSP) has been shown to be a useful adjunct for orthognathic and craniofacial surgery. The following report details the application and advantages of this technology in the setting of a reduction cranioplasty. We report the case of a 2-year-old girl with severe hydrocephalic macrocephaly who underwent a reduction cranioplasty guided by VSP with computer-aided design and manufacturing (CAD/CAM). Prefabricated cutting guides and a concave assembly bowl were used for precise fixation of bony segments. Our patient underwent a successful reduction cranioplasty using VSP and CAD/CAM. This technology allowed precise remodeling of the cranial vault with minimal bony gaps in the final construct. Head circumference and intracranial volume were reduced from 70 cm and 4,575 cm to 62 cm and 2,645 cm, respectively. VSP with CAD/CAM can serve as a useful adjunct in complex cases of cranioplasty allowing for an increase in the precision, the efficacy, and the esthetic result.