Cookies on this website

We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. If you click 'Accept all cookies' we'll assume that you are happy to receive all cookies and you won't see this message again. If you click 'Reject all non-essential cookies' only necessary cookies providing core functionality such as security, network management, and accessibility will be enabled. Click 'Find out more' for information on how to change your cookie settings.

ABSTRACT: Assessing outcomes following surgery for single suture craniosynostosis is important to ensure minimum standards are being met, but also to compare results using different surgical techniques and treatment protocols. What constitutes an "outcome" and how this is measured remains a challenge, particularly when assessment should include consideration of aesthetic, functional, and psychological domains.The Oxford Craniofacial Unit has initiated routine collection of parents' and patients' ratings of 2 factors that are closely associated with psychological adjustment; how noticeable the child's headshape is and how much this bothers the parent and/or child. A brief Surgical Outcome Questionnaire is completed by parents and children (over 7 years) at their outpatient appointment; parents are also asked to rate the extent to which they feel surgery made a difference to their child's headshape.Data are presented for 519 parents and 248 children with single suture craniosynostosis who attended the Oxford Craniofacial Unit in 2018 and 2019; this represents over 80% of patients seen in the clinic indicating the questionnaire is acceptable for families and the potential for rapid, relevant data on a continuous basis. Analysis of the data is presented to demonstrate the utility of the Surgical Outcome Questionnaire in exploring the views of both parents and patients of the noticeability and level of concern about the child's headshape for different age groups and diagnoses.The Surgical Outcome Questionnaire provides a novel method of collecting routine data for patients across their craniofacial care pathway, using variables which are relevant and meaningful for patients and parents.

Original publication

DOI

10.1097/SCS.0000000000008117

Type

Journal article

Journal

J Craniofac Surg

Publication Date

14/09/2021