Postoperative Management and Long-Term Follow-Up After Surgery for Craniosynostosis

The postoperative management of children after craniosynostosis surgeries depends primarily on the surgical technique used. Early postoperative management for all techniques is focused on early identification of immediate postoperative complications. Specific elements of postoperative management, including length of stay, level of care, need for blood transfusion, and drain management, are discussed for each operative technique. Postoperative imaging is used depending on the specific needs of each patient, and practices vary widely. Long-term follow-up of 5 years or more, until intracranial growth is completed, is often planned to address head shape, cranial index, signs of high intracranial pressure, and other potential complications.