Surgical Complications and Their Management in Anterior Plagiocephaly and Trigonocephaly
Chapter from the book:
Güvenç,
G.
(ed.)
2025.
Management of Cranial Surgical Complications in Neurosurgery.
Synopsis
Trigonocephaly (metopic synostosis) and anterior plagiocephaly (unilateral coronal synostosis) are important subtypes of the non-syndromic craniosynostosis spectrum, and the primary goals of surgical treatment are to correct cranial volume and the orbitofrontal contour, reduce the risk of increased intracranial pressure, and optimize long-term aesthetic/functional outcomes. While open fronto-orbital advancement and remodeling (FOAR/FOA) has been a standard approach for many years, endoscopic strip craniectomy/suturectomy and helmet therapy in the appropriate age group, as well as spring-assisted techniques and fronto-orbital distraction osteogenesis in selected centers, are becoming more widespread with the aim of similar morphological correction and lower morbidity. This compilation aims to present a systematic framework for addressing the complications that can occur during trigonocephaly and anterior plagiocephaly surgeries (hemorrhagic, infectious, neurological, orbital/ocular, respiratory, and aesthetic-secondary deformity-focused), both intraoperatively and postoperatively, and to outline evidence-based perioperative strategies and current protocols for predicting, preventing, and managing these complications.
