The Total Calvarial Transsutural Distraction Osteogenesis for 26 Children with Slit Ventricle, Craniosynostosis, or Microcephaly After Shunt Operation

Objective Among shunt complications, the postshunt slit ventricle (PSSV) and the postshunt craniosynostosis (PSCS) may be managed by shunt valve upgrade and/or cranial expansion surgery. Here, we analyzed 26 children with PSSV, PSCS, or microcephaly who received simple generalized cranial expansion (ie, total calvarial transsutural distraction osteogenesis [TC-TSuDO]). Methods Among 254 children with shunt surgery, 26 children received TC-TSuDO. These 26 children included 14 with PSSV, 4 with PSCS, and 8 with both PSSV and PSCS. The mean age of patients who underwent shunt procedures was 8.2 ± 10.6 months, and the mean time interval from shunt surgery to TC-TSuDO was 26.8 ± 29.5 months. The mean age of children at the time of TC-TSuDO was 33.3 ± 30.2 months. We analyzed head circumferences, lumbar puncture pressures, development status, operative factors, and postoperative complications. Results The mean preoperative head circumference was −2.1 ± 1.9, which increased to −1.4 ± 2.1 ( P < 0.001) postsurgically. The mean preoperative lumbar puncture pressure was 26.2 ± 10.7 cm H2 O which decreased to 11.9 ± 3.5 cm H2 O ( P < 0.001) after surgery. The mean operation time was 138 ± 66 minutes. The mean intensive care unit stay was 0.27 ± 0.53 days. There were no mortalities but 2 patients suffered from distractor malfunction and 1 patient showed wound discharge. Conclusions We suggest that postshunt complications such as PSSV or PSCS, especially those that are accompanied by increased intracranial pressure or postshunt microcephaly, may be managed for patients with TC-TSuDO, which has been shown to be safe, simple, and effective.