Intensive care unit course of infants and children after cranial vault reconstruction for craniosynostosis

Associated Risk Factors for Extended Operative Time Following Cranial Vault Remodeling for Craniosynostosis: Analysis of the 2012 to 2021 NSQIP-Pediatric Database

STUDY DESIGN

Retrospective cohort study.

OBJECTIVES

The aim of this study was to identify the factors associated with extended operative time (EOT) for pediatric patients with craniosynostosis undergoing cranial vault remodeling (CVR).

METHODS

A retrospective cohort study was performed using the 2012 to 2021 American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program Pediatric--Pediatric database. Pediatric patients below 2 years old with craniosynostosis who underwent CVR were identified using Current Procedural Terminology and International Classification of Diseases-9/10 codes. Patients were dichotomized according to whether they encountered an EOT, which was defined as operative time greater than the 75th percentile for the entire cohort (246 min). Patient demographics, comorbidities, intraoperative variables, postoperative adverse events, and health care resource utilization were assessed. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was utilized to identify predictors of EOT and length of stay.

RESULTS

In the cohort of 9817 patients undergoing CVR, 24.3% experienced EOT. The EOT cohort was significantly older and less likely to be non-Hispanic White. Patient comorbidities and surgical adverse events were more frequent among the EOT cohort, including proportions of postoperative surgical site infections. Independent predictors for EOT included age, racial identity, weight, and a higher American Society of Anesthesiologists classification. EOT was found to be an independent predictor for prolonged hospitalization EOT [adjusted odds ratios: 0.78 (0.44-1.13), P <0.001].

CONCLUSIONS

This study demonstrates that age, race, and comorbidities contribute to EOT after CVR for craniosynostosis. EOT is independently associated with a longer length of stay. Additional investigations to further understand the risk factors and impacts of extended EOT are warranted to improve patient outcomes.

A Comparative Analysis of the Sonopet Ultrasonic Bone Aspirator to Traditional Instrumentation for Endoscopic Suturectomy for Craniosynostosis

OBJECTIVE

The goal of endoscopic treatment for craniosynostosis is to remove the fused suture and achieve calvarial remodeling with external orthosis. To reduce the need for secondary surgery and to minimize blood loss, instruments that maximize bone removal while minimizing blood loss and risk of dural injury are evolving. The authors therefore assess the safety and efficacy of the Sonopet Ultrasonic Bone Aspirator (UBA) (Stryker, Kalamazoo, MI) for endoscopic suturectomy compared to traditional instrumentation at our institution.

METHODS

Retrospective chart review of consecutive endoscopic suturectomies performed from 2011 to 2019 at Weill Cornell Medical Center was conducted, including demographics, cephalic index, surgical indications, operative time, cosmetic and functional results, complications, estimated blood loss (EBL), re-operation rate, length of stay, and length of helmet therapy. These variables were then compared between the Sonopet and non-Sonopet cohorts.

RESULTS

Of the 60 patients who underwent endoscopic suturectomy, 16 cases (26.7%) utilized the Sonopet. Mean operative time was 2.8 ± 0.4 hours in the Sonopet group, compared to 3.2 ± 1.2 hours (P = 0.05) without the Sonopet. EBL was 17.8 ± 23.9 cc versus 34.7 ± 75.5 cc (P = 0.20) with versus without the Sonopet respectively. Length of stay and duration of helmet therapy were similar in both groups, ranging from 1 to 3 days (P = 0.68) and 7.25 to 12 months (P = 0.30) respectively. There were no reoperations in the Sonopet group with a mean follow up of 9.18 months. There were 3 reoperations in the non-Sonopet group with a mean follow up of 11.3 months. Among the cases utilizing the Sonopet, 13 (81%) were metopic and three (19%) were coronal synostoses. Of the non-Sonopet cases, 27 (61%) were sagittal, 8 (18%) were metopic, 7 (16%) were coronal, and 2 (5%) were lambdoid synostoses.

CONCLUSIONS

The use of the Sonopet resulted in a mean decrease in operative time at our institution (P = 0.18). Lower EBL and reoperation rates with comparable LOS and helmet therapy duration were also seen. This modality should be considered a safe and effective adjunct in appropriate endoscopic craniosynostosis cases.

Effect of Perioperative Management on Outcome of Patients after Craniosynostosis Surgery

BACKGROUND

Craniosynostosis results from premature closure of one or more cranial sutures, leading to deformed calvaria and craniofacial skeleton at birth. Postoperative complications and outcome in intensive care unit (ICU) is related to surgical method and perioperative management. This study determined the perioperative risk factors, which affect outcome of patients after craniosynostosis surgery.

METHODS

In a retrospective study, 178 patients with craniosynostosis who underwent primary cranial reconstruction were included. Postoperative complications following neurosurgical procedures including fever in ICU, level of consciousness, re-intubation, and blood, urine, and other cultures were also performed and their association with the main outcomes (length of ICU stay) were analyzed.

RESULTS

Factors independently associated with a longer pediatric ICU stay were fever (OR=1.59, 95% CI=1.25-4.32; p=0.001), perioperative bleeding (OR=2.25, 95% CI=1.65-3.65; p=0.01), age (having surgery after the first 5 years) (OR=1.59, 95% CI=1.33-3.54, p=0.016) and infection (OR=2.17, 95% CI=1.83-7.46; p=0.002). Mean blood loss during surgery was significantly higher in patients whose duration of ICU was longer than 4 days compare to less than 4 day (p=0.026). Amount of bleeding significantly was correlated to duration of surgery (r=0.70, p=0.001) and patient's age (r=0.23, p=0.44).

CONCLUSION

perioperative management particularly blood loss could deteriorate patients outcome and length of stay in ICU and hospital. Infections in ICU could deteriorate outcomes.

Hemoglobin drop after anesthesia in craniosynstosis: Dilemma of operate or not to operate

An infant with craniosynostosis for craniectomy and cranial-vault remodelling was detected to have very low hemoglobin (6.8 gm%) after induction of anesthesia. This posed a dilemma whether to proceed with or abandon the surgical procedure. The case was postponed and was rescheduled for surgery one week later with hope that his hemoglobin would rise during this period. However, even before second anesthesia his hemoglobin level was found to be unchanged. Meticulous anesthesia management resulted in uneventful surgical procedure.