Intraoperative Measurement of Intracranial Pressure during Cranial Vault Remodeling in Children with Craniosynostosis

Abstract

Purpose In this study, we analyzed the utility of intracranial pressure (ICP) monitoring intraoperatively for deciding height reduction and need for cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) diversion during cranial vault remodeling in children with multisutural craniosynostosis (CS). Methods This is a retrospective observational study of children who underwent surgery for CS and ICP monitoring during surgery. The ICP was monitored using an external ventricular drainage catheter. The ICP monitoring was continued during the entire procedure. Results A total of 28 (19 boys) children with the involvement of two or more sutures underwent ICP monitoring during surgery. The commonest pattern of suture involvement was bicoronal seen in 16 (57.1%) children followed by pancraniosynostoses in eight (28.6%) cases. The mean opening ICP was 23 mm Hg, which dropped to 10.9 mm Hg after craniotomy. The ICP increased transiently to 19.5 mm Hg after height reduction, and the mean ICP at closure was 16.2 mm Hg. The ICP recordings helped in undoing the height reduction in two children and ventriculoperitoneal shunt after surgery in two children. Conclusions Intraoperative monitoring of ICP helps in deciding the type of cranial vault remodeling and the need for CSF diversion after surgery.