Pediatric Neurosurgery Craniosynostosis

Craniosynostosis is the premature fusion of the growth plates (sutures) of the skull, resulting in abnormal skull growth and shape.  It affects about 1 in 2,000 otherwise normal infants and can also be seen in certain craniofacial syndromes with additional other congenital abnormalities and multiple sutures being involved. 

Why rely on Washington University experts for craniosynostosis treatment?

The craniofacial center at St. Louis Children’s Hospital and Washington University in St. Louis is one of the largest and most comprehensive in the nation.  Our team has operated on over 1,000 infants with craniosynostosis and is recognized as a national leader in minimally invasive techniques for the repair of craniosynostosis.  Our team is highly experienced and our surgical outcomes and safety are unsurpassed. Our team and patients are involved in multiple ongoing clinical trials to optimize outcomes and improve safety and efficacy of surgery for synostosis.

How do we treat craniosysnostosis?

• We offer endoscopic repair for all types of craniosynostosis. Some surgeons only offer minimally invasive repair surgery to children with scaphocephaly (sagittal synostosis). Our experienced surgeons perform endoscopic repairs on all types of craniosynostosis, including multi-suture and syndromic cases. Learn more about endoscopic craniosynostosis repair.
• We believe in a multidisciplinary approach to craniosynostosis. Babies whose skull bones fuse too early may have other issues, too. When you choose St. Louis Children’s Hospital, you will see professionals from all the appropriate subspecialties, including plastic surgery, neurosurgery, psychology, speech and language, dentistry, orthodontics, ophthalmology, nursing, ear-nose-throat and genetics.

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