Distraction Osteogenesis and Endoscopic Suturectomy in the Treatment of Rachitic Craniosynostosis: A Case Series and Updated Literature Review With Discussion of Cephalometrics

Individuals with genetic or nutritional rickets frequently suffer from craniosynostosis. While cranial vault remodeling is most often performed, other approaches, such as distraction osteogenesis and endoscopic suturectomy, are infrequently reported. Here, we discuss the status of the current literature and describe 2 patients with rachitic craniosynostosis, one of whom had previously undergone endoscopic suturectomy, who both successfully underwent distraction osteogenesis. Two male patients with rickets-associated craniosynostosis, 1 genetic and 1 nutritional, underwent posterior-vault distraction osteogenesis (PVDO). The patient with genetic rickets previously underwent endoscopic-assisted cranial suturectomy of the sagittal suture with barrel-staving at an outside hospital and subsequently re-fused all cranial sutures 19 months postoperatively necessitating reintervention. Complete distraction was confirmed by X-ray and both patients recovered without complication and without re-synostosis at 18 month follow-up. The patient with nutritional rickets required subsequent fronto-facial advancement because of poor midface growth. PVDO effectively treats rachitic craniosynostosis associated with both genetic and nutritional etiologies. Long-term follow up is warranted to monitor for skull-base involvement and associated midface retrusion in these patients.