Surgical Approach and Periprocedural Outcomes by Race and Ethnicity of Children Undergoing Craniosynostosis Surgery

Background Surgical repair for craniosynostosis varies depending on the infant's age, location of suture fusion, and approach (e.g., open versus endoscopic). Existing data suggest possible racial and ethnic disparities in timely access to surgical care for craniosynostosis that may, in turn, be associated with surgical approach and perioperative outcomes. This study examined racial and ethnic variation in craniosynostosis operations by surgical approach and perioperative outcomes. Methods Data were collected by the 2013 to 2015 Pediatric National Surgical Quality Improvement Program. Patients aged younger than 24 months with diagnoses and procedure codes consistent with surgery for craniosynostosis were identified. Periprocedural characteristics and surgical approach (open, endoscopic/minimally invasive, or both) were examined descriptively, overall, and separately by race and ethnicity. Results The authors identified 1982 admissions. Mean age at surgery was 7.8 ± 4.7 months. Ninety-one percent of procedures were classified as open operations, 5.8 percent were endoscopic, and 3.4 percent were both open and endoscopic. Relative to white/non-Hispanic patients, Hispanic and nonwhite patients underwent surgery at older ages, experienced longer operative and anesthesia times, and were hospitalized longer. Hispanic patients had the highest rates of open operations. Conclusions These data suggest that Hispanic and nonwhite patients tend to undergo craniosynostosis repair at older ages and to have lengthier operations than white/non-Hispanic patients. Although we were unable to examine the root cause(s) of these differences, delayed diagnosis is one factor that might result in surgery at an older age and more complex operations requiring open surgery. Prospective studies examining racial/ethnic disparities are needed to inform a comparison of outcomes associated with surgical approach.