Surgery for Prematurely Closed Suture in 3 Month Old

Has she had a CT scan of her head? If so and they are sure it has closed I would say yes do it, It can cause serious facial distortion. If they are not sure it is a closed suture ask for the CT scan. She may just have Plagiocephaly, scaphocephaly or brachycephaly... all three of these conditions can be corrected with a DOC BAND. My son is 8 months old and has had his on for almost 2 months, it has REALY corrected his distorted head shape. Best of luck to you and your children.

A Little about me:

I have 4 children. Girl 6, boy 4 1/2, girl 4, boy 8 months.

My heart goes out to you! Our 3 year old had a brain tumor removed 6 months ago - it was thought to be an aggressive form of cancer, but by the grace of our God who hears & answers prayer, it was benign! I don't know who your surgeon is, but Dr. Harold Rekate at Barrow Neurological Institute ( Connected to St. Joe's in Phoenix) is an amazing pediatric neurosurgeon! The surgery to reconstruct is rather painful, but is easier to do earlier rather than later - keeping her skull in a more normal shape & size as she grows. I know it seems crazy to have an "optional" procedure done, but with a good surgeon, she will be fine (not to mention, she won't remember it)! Please feel free to contact me - support is a wonderful thing! I'll be praying for your little angle.

My son had craniosynostosis which was repaired at 2 months of age. The suture that runs from front to back was fused together. His forehead was growing VERY rapidly, and so was the lower/back portion of his head. We had endoscopic surgery done at Phoenix Children's Hospital, and everything went well. My husband and I now go to other families in the area as support and to show them the "finished" product.

My daughter has had on that has closed early also. She is 5 but they told me since it was only one that it wasn't a major issue and her head has a normal shape. She also has hydrocephalus and will soon be going through growth hormone treatments. Hope everything turns out okay for you all.

At 3 months old your child should be able to wear a helmet to correct the problem. The only time surgery should be recommended is when the skull has hardened and that doesnt happen till 18-24 months. My sons was closed at birth but no one caught it till he was much older. He had surgery at 2 1/2. Had the doctors listened to me about the shape of his head, he would have been able to wear just the helmet. I would ask the neurosurgeon and plastic surgeon about the helmet option BEFORE any surgery. Your little one is still young enough that if they helmet doesnt work, you can do the surgery at a later time when she is older. Good luck and ask LOT AND LOTS of questions.

Hello C.,
I would like to join Benita in her recommendation of searching a craniosacral therapist, preferably trained by Upledger, same could be true for a good osteopath or integrative manual therapist. If you are close to Sedona, I would recommend you a colleague of mine, Luc Chabot, you can reach him at ###-###-####. I am a German MD, have had great interest in the neurosurgical approach on "craniodysostoses", when I still worked in the medical field. Today I work with elements of craniosacral and osteopathic therapies, more general in the hands-on healing traditions of the Hopi healers here in Arizona. Our understanding is that among other reasons, impinged connective tissue sheathing the brain is involved in pulling the sutures close. Through the gentle manipulations of therapists trained in the above techniques these sutures can be mobilized without need for surgical intervention. Feel free to contact me if you like to have more information, should you be close to Benita's area, i'd recommend you getting in touch with her!
Much Love and Good Luck! K. von Merveldt-Guevara

Hello!

I have a 6 year old son now who has had 2 of these surgeries. He literally looked like an alien when he was 5 months old. They told me it was "optional" too, but that because the skull (his was the sagittal long 2 side plates) was misformed, it could in time crush parts of the brain. I opted for the surgery. He did need another one at 2 1/2 years old.

It is a tough decision, but I am confident the right decision was made. Pray about it. It is not easy to see them go through it, but my son does not remember any of the first one, and only slightly the second.

His head is perfect now! Feel free to call if needed. My name is S. and I can be reached at ###-###-####.

God Bless all your family!

My 2nd child was born with a cleft lip and palate and she had 2 surgeries in her first year. Because of this we became associated with the Craniofacial Foundation of AZ. Your daughter's diagnosis is considered a Craniofacial condition. I do not have specific experience, but have met other families who have. You might want to contact them. Also, I don't know hwo your neurosurgeon is, but you might want to get a second opinion, from Dr. Stephen Beals. He has a fabulous reputation around town and specializes in Craniofacial.

I hope this helps.

I would definately seek a skilled Cranio-Sacral Therapist. The MD ideology does NOT consider that the bones of the skull can and DO MOVE. They only consider scalpals and pills.
CST is a GENTLE and EFFECTIVE solution to this problem. You did not state what city you live in.
Google www.upledger.com to find a therapist near you.
B. Gettel OTR/L CHT CCH
myofascialrelease and cranio-sacral therapist in Tucson