Comparison of the Soft Tissue Thickness of the Midface in Craniosynostosis

Early Surgical Treatment in Anterior Synostotic Plagiocephaly: Is This the Best Choice?

At the end of craniofacial growth, in anterior synostotic plagiocephaly, some aesthetical deficiencies may still be evident. This can depend on an inadequate initial correction or on altered postoperative growth or even on the combination of the 2 factors.Aesthetic alterations can result from various factors that could potentially affect the skeleton, the skin, subcutaneous, and muscular tissues.The pathological changes in the cutaneous and subcutaneous tissues are greater in patients who have undergone multiple surgical treatments of the frontoorbital area. The aim of this observational cohort study is to assess the residual aesthetic and functional impairment at the end of skeletal growth, in patients affected by anterior synostotic plagiocephaly who have undergone surgery at an early age. The purpose is to investigate whether early surgery can still be considered unavoidable in patients with this malformation.Between July 2012 and February 2015, patient's data were retrieved from our archives among the patients referred to our department from 2003 to 2012 for Anterior Synostotic Plagiocephaly at an early age.The authors studied this patient with CT scans and photographic documentation. On CT scans, the authors have assessed skeletal alterations, soft tissues alterations, and muscular tissue alterations. With photographic documentation, the authors have studied the perception of the malformation among external subjects.From this study it was possible to demonstrate that is many esthetical alterations are to still to be found in patients treated with an early surgical approach; for this reason in children without early complications, the authors suggest that surgical treatment should be delayed after the end of craniofacial growth.

Long-term results of remodelling the facial bones with a soft moulding helmet in beagles: the "reciprocally stimulated growth" hypothesis

Facial deformity is often seen in infants with deformational plagiocephaly and it usually improves with conservative management. However, we know of few studies of the effect of helmet treatment on the facial skeleton. Our aim therefore was to find out its long-term effects on skull remodelling, and on the shape of the face. Seven beagles wore helmets for seven weeks after birth. Seven study beagles and 3 controls were killed and we measured the length, width, and height of the skulls, maxillas, and mandibles. Statistical analysis showed that the total craniofacial length and skull length did not differ significantly, and skull volumes were similar. Maximal craniofacial, skull, maxillary, and mandibular width were all significantly less in the study group. The maximal craniofacial, maxillary, and mandibular widths were strongly correlated with changes in the skull width, and the width:length ratios of the skulls, maxillas, and mandibles did differ significantly. The skull widths in the study group were significantly smaller, which suggests that a soft moulding helmet may change the growth pattern permanently. The effect of a soft moulding helmet on the lateral aspect of the skull affected the width of the face semipermanently. This modulation in the shape of the skull vault and base may change the shape of the maxilla and mandible, which may serve as a background for the use of helmet treatment to change the facial configuration.

Does skeletal surgery for asymmetric mandibular prognathism influence the soft tissue contour and thickness?

PURPOSE

The purpose of the present study was to investigate whether asymmetric mandibular prognathism accompanies a fundamental difference in soft tissue thickness and whether asymmetric mandibular setback surgery would influence the contour and thickness of the soft tissue of the chin.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The present retrospective study included skeletal class III patients with significant mandibular chin deviation greater than 6 mm at the pogonion, who had undergone cone-beam computed tomography before and 6 months after surgery during a 2-year period. The predictor variables were timing (pre- and postoperatively) and side (asymmetric vs contralateral). The outcome measures were the hard and soft tissue contours and soft tissue thickness of the chin at the infradentale, B-point, and pogonion level evaluated with reformatted computed tomography images. The study variables were statistically compared using regression model and correlation analysis.

RESULTS

The present study consisted of 20 patients (10 males and 10 females; average age 20.2 years; range, 18 to 25). Preoperatively, the chin deviation side showed a more prominent hard and soft tissue outline but had a thinner soft tissue thickness, which camouflaged the hard tissue asymmetry. After surgery, the hard and soft tissue outline was greatly improved, and the soft tissue thickness had become nearly symmetric. Most of the soft tissue thickness changes correlated negatively with the hard tissue changes.

CONCLUSIONS

Asymmetric mandibular prognathism accompanied the 3-dimensional soft tissue contour and thickness asymmetry. Because the soft tissue responds favorably after skeletal surgery, the correction of 3-dimensional asymmetry of bone should be emphasized in patients with asymmetric mandibular prognathism.