The use of piezosurgery in cranial surgery in children

Abstract

Piezosurgery is an alternative surgical technique, now widely tested, that uses ultrasounds for bone cutting. This device uses ultrasounds to section hard tissues without harming surrounding soft tissues. The authors analyzed their experience in craniomaxillofacial procedures with piezosurgery. A comparison between operation timing and complication rates between piezosurgery and traditional cutting instruments has been performed. A total of 27 patients were examined (15 females and 12 males; average age, of 5.5 months) affected by craniosynostosis. The aim of this study was to analyze the advantages and disadvantages of piezosurgery in pediatric craniofacial procedures. Piezoelectric device in this study has shown being a valid instrument for bone cutting in accurate procedures, because it allows performing a more precise and safer cutting, without the risk of harming surrounding tissues.