Evidence map›Paper›PMID 42635700›Full record

ArticleAnnals of biomedical engineering2026

Optimising Fronto-Orbital Distraction for Management of Unicoronal Craniosynostosis.

Yunus Samiepour, Jonas Mellgren, Ce Liang, Philip G Cox, Hans Delye, Karin Säljö, Lars Kölby, Mehran Moazen

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Article in Annals of biomedical engineering, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

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0citing papers in PubMed
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1 · What the graph read from it

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The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

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3 · Its place in the literature

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4 · The record

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5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

8 authors.

Yunus Samiepour *Department of Mechanical Engineering, University College London, London, UK. ucemys7@ucl.ac.uk.
Jonas Mellgren *Department of Plastic Surgery, Institute of Clinical Sciences, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden.
Ce LiangDepartment of Mechanical Engineering, University College London, London, UK.
Philip G CoxCentre for Integrative Anatomy, Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, University College London, London, UK.
Hans DelyeDepartment of Neurosurgery, Radboudumc Nijmegen, Nijmegen, The Netherlands.
Karin SäljöDepartment of Plastic Surgery, Institute of Clinical Sciences, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden.
Lars KölbyDepartment of Plastic Surgery, Institute of Clinical Sciences, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden.
Mehran MoazenDepartment of Mechanical Engineering, University College London, London, UK.

Funding

Gothenburg Medical Society GLS-985874Swedish Society for Medical Research TG-23-0459-H-01Swedish State ALFGBG-1005143Wellcome EPSRC Centre for Medical Engineering EP/W008092/1
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

purposeUnicoronal craniosynostosis (UCS) involves premature fusion of the left or right coronal suture, resulting in skull deformities and facial asymmetry. Fronto-orbital distraction (FOD) has proven effective for surgically correcting UCS; however, determining optimal surgical parameters (e.g. distraction angle, length, and distractor number) remains challenging. This study aimed to optimise FOD for UCS using finite element (FE) analysis and simulated surgical outcomes.

methodsWe developed a patient-specific FE model using pre- and postoperative computed tomography (CT) scans from a 23-day-old UCS patient. The model simulated FOD with varying distraction angles (20°, 30°, 40°), lengths (20-40 mm), and use of single or dual distractors. Thirty-six scenarios were analysed to evaluate impact on skull morphology, orbital symmetry, and facial correction. The model was validated against clinical outcomes using postoperative CT scans. Key metrics included orbital index symmetry and orbital dystopia angle (ODA).

resultsDistraction length most significantly impacted outcomes, with 40-mm advancement yielding superior orbital symmetry. The optimal configuration (single distractor, 40°, 40-mm advancement) achieved an ODA of 2.2° and orbital index difference (OID) of 0.2%. Dual distractors offered only marginal improvements (ODA: 1.7°; OID: 0.2%) and introduced risks of excessive anterior displacement.

conclusionThese findings suggest that optimal FOD outcomes for UCS can be achieved with a single distractor at 40° and 40-mm advancement. Dual distractors provided minimal additional benefit and may increase surgical complexity and risks. The validated FE model offers a quantitative framework for surgical planning and improving the precision of craniosynostosis correction.

Indexed as

BiomechanicsCraniofacial systemFinite element analysisSurgical optimisationSuture

Identifiers

PMID42635700

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.