title: Custom made orthotic device for maintaining skull architecture during the postoperative period in infants undergoing craniosynostosis surgery.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To fabricate a cost effective, indigenous and simple orthotics helmet for post-operative cranial molding in patients with craniosynostosis surgery.
  
  
  METHODS
  We present a case of 15 month old infant with secondary cranial vault deformity. Cranial vault remodeling surgery involving the posterior skull was planned and executed to increase the posterior gap, so that brain growth would be facilitated towards this empty space. Materials such as thermoplastic sponge, thermoplastic ionomer resin sheet, soft sponge and Velcro straps are used to fabricate a cranial orthotics helmet.
  
  
  RESULTS
  We have successfully used the above materials to fabricate the orthotics helmet for post-operative cranial molding.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The technique described in this article is simple and cost effective. It can be custom made according to the demands of the surgical technique and the type of synostosis. It favors an individualistic prognosis, and proves worthwhile as every synostosis requires a unique treatment plan. It is an excellent adjuvant to craniosynostosis remodeling surgery.
authors.affiliation: Department of Cranio-Maxillofacial Surgery, Mazumdar Shaw Medical Center, Narayana Health City, Bommasandra Industrial Estate, Bangalore, Karnataka, India.
authors.forename: Venu
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Gopal
authors.affiliation: Department of Cranio-Maxillofacial Surgery, Mazumdar Shaw Medical Center, Narayana Health City, Bommasandra Industrial Estate, Bangalore, Karnataka, India.
authors.forename: Praveen
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Ganesh
authors.affiliation: Department of Cranio-Maxillofacial Surgery, Mazumdar Shaw Medical Center, Narayana Health City, Bommasandra Industrial Estate, Bangalore, Karnataka, India.
authors.forename: Muralidhara
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Nagarjuna
authors.affiliation: Fellow Student, Department of Cranio-Maxillofacial Surgery, Mazumdar Shaw Medical Center, Narayana Health City, Bommasandra Industrial Estate, Bangalore, Karnataka, India.
authors.forename: Kiran
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Kumar
authors.affiliation: Department of Cranio-Maxillofacial Surgery, Mazumdar Shaw Medical Center, Narayana Health City, Bommasandra Industrial Estate, Bangalore, Karnataka, India.
authors.forename: Samarth
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Shetty
authors.affiliation: Department of Cranio-Maxillofacial Surgery, Mazumdar Shaw Medical Center, Narayana Health City, Bommasandra Industrial Estate, Bangalore, Karnataka, India.
authors.forename: Paul C
authors.initials: PC
authors.lastname: Salins
keywords: Craniectomy; Craniosynostosis; Head moulage