When is helmet not necessary?

[Winnie44]

Is it possible to have extended strip surgery without having to use a helmet afterwards? I'm very confused about the difference between strip surgery and endoscopic surgery and can't find anything when I google.

[amizzle]

sometimes they do a endoscopic CVR. I think SEAGRAPE had one of those...but she still has a helmet. I am pretty sure they are VERY necessary after and endoscopic strip, but I know there are tons of variations of surgery type.

this might help you understand the endo strip and helmet therapy.

video (http://www.universityhealthsystem.com/craniosynostosis/video/default.asp)

i wasnt sure which type of cranio your child has, so this link had videos about metopic, sagittal, and coronal.

our son had the endo strip and just finished helmet therapy. Would love to answer any questions, feel free to PM me

[dannlark]

From my understanding (and someone correct me if I'm mistaken), the endo strip surgery only removes the strip of fused suture (some Dr.'s also do triangular notches along the strip to help with the remolding). The surgery DOES NOT correct the head shape. That is what the helmet is for. To mold the head back to the proper shape. The CVR actually corrects the head shape in one (or sometimes more) operation/s. It's a done deal, no molding needed (of course the skull adjusts afterwards, but the brain pushing out on the skull makes the adjustments). They do the endo very early in infancy because the skull bones are much thinner and more malleable, thus enabling the helmet to do it's job easier.

Hope that helps...

[Jenny]

i want to add that a lot of people dont know this, but some docs do helmets even after a cvr to prevent any recession. My daughter had the cvr/foa and helmet therapy.

[mv3kids]

Some hospitals do an extended strip procedure on saggitals (not endoscopically), without wearing a helmet.
It has to be done before 6 months of age. They remove a strip and do some modelling on the sides of the skull (make it wider). The child has to sleep on the back of its head afterwards. The idea is that the headshape will continue to improve in the months after surgery.