Craniofacial growth following unilateral lambdoid synostosis in rabbits

ABSTRACT

Immobilization of unilateral (right) lambdoid suture was produced in 9-day-old rabbits to determine its effect on subsequent craniofacial growth. The suture was immobilized by the topical application of methyl-2-cyanoacrylate adhesive, subsequent growth effects on the cranial vault, cranial base and facial skeleton were assessed by serial radiographic cephalometry. The statistically significant result(p < 0.05) were: 1. The growth of immobilized lambdoid suture was decreased accompanying compensatory growth at coronal suture bilaterally. 2. The length of anterior and posterior cranial base was increased. 3. Anterior midfacial height was increased. 4. Lower midfacial angle (angular relationship of cranial base to lower midface) was decreased. With the view of above findings, it is clear that restricted growth was seen at unilateral lambdoid suture accompanying compensatory growth at coronal suture and resulted in altered cranial base and facial growth.