title: Effect of Presurgical Positioning on Skull Shape in Sagittal Suture Synostosis.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of the this study was to describe changes in head circumference (HC) and cephalic index (CI) in children with sagittal suture synostosis before surgery, by putting the child to bed in supine position lying on the back of the head.
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 83 patients were scheduled for minimally invasive spring-assisted correction at age 5 to 6 months. At presentation, parents were advised to place their child in bed lying on the back of their head. Preoperative evaluation involved measurement of HC and CI. Head circumference was measured at 2 time points in 33 patients and the CI at 2 time points in 19 patients.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Head circumference (in SD) decreased from 1.69 to 1.37 and the CI increased from 66 to 69.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Before surgery, positioning patients with sagittal suture synostosis on the back of the head is a feasible and effective way of changing head shape. More research is needed to evaluate the postsurgical effects on the long term.
authors.affiliation: *Erasmus University Medical Center Rotterdam, Department of Neurosurgery †Erasmus University Medical Center Rotterdam, Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery and Hand Surgery, Rotterdam, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Marie-Lise C
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: van Veelen
authors.forename: Hansje H
authors.initials: HH
authors.lastname: Bredero
authors.forename: Clemens M F
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Dirven
authors.forename: Irene M J
authors.initials: IM
authors.lastname: Mathijssen
mesh_terms: D002508:Cephalometry / Q000379:methods*; D003398:Craniosynostoses / Q000601:surgery*; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D019060:Minimally Invasive Surgical Procedures / Q000379:methods; D019857:Osteogenesis, Distraction / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods; D010294:Parietal Bone / Q000002:abnormalities / Q000601:surgery; D056888:Patient Positioning / Q000379:methods*; D011300:Preoperative Care; D012886:Skull / Q000473:pathology; D016683:Supine Position / Q000502:physiology*