Surgery for Craniosynostosis

Surgery

Surgery is typically the recommended treatment. The goal of treatment is to reduce the pressure in the head and correct the deformities of the face and skull bones.

The optimal time to perform surgery is before the child is 1 year of age since the bones are still very soft and easy to work with. Surgery may be necessary at a much earlier age depending upon the severity of the condition.

Before surgery, your child's physician will explain the operation and may review "before and after" photographs of children who may have had a similar type of surgery.
Following the operation, it is common for the child to have a turban-like dressing around his/her head. The face and eyelids may be swollen after this type of surgery. The child is typically transferred to the intensive care unit (ICU) after the operation for close monitoring.