Coronal Craniosynostosis: Correcting the Harlequin Deformity
Carousel1 min read·Published Oct 2026

Coronal Craniosynostosis: Correcting the Harlequin Deformity

Slide explaining Harlequin deformity in coronal craniosynostosis and its traditional surgical correction.
Slide explaining Cincinnati Children's surgical approach to coronal craniosynostosis using distraction technique.
Quote slide from Dr. Scott Rapp discussing how distraction affects Harlequin deformity and strabismus.
Slide emphasizing early referral for coronal craniosynostosis while skull-base sutures remain open.
Slide asking whether extra surgical cuts in coronal craniosynostosis repair help or hurt patient outcomes.
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Carousel · Oct 2026 · 1 min read

In brief

In brief

Educational carousel detailing the surgical correction of harlequin deformity in coronal craniosynostosis. Covers the characteristic orbital and frontal bone abnormalities and the reconstructive techniques used to restore normal skull contour in affected infants.

Written by the GCMD Library team from the carousel.

Slides

5 pages · click to turn to one

A clinical comparison chart displaying three treatment modalities in vertical columns with icons, percentage metrics, and outcome indicators. Each column uses distinct color coding and includes graphical representations of success rates, complication data, and patient ambulation outcomes. The layout progresses from traditional to advanced techniques with accompanying statistical visualizations.

Craniofacial — craniosynostosis. A social-media carousel made possible by Cincinnati Children's.
The text in the image

Pediatric Achalasia: Surgical Approach Comparison | Heller Myotomy | 78% Success Rate | Esophageal Dilatation | 45% Success Rate | POEM (Per-Oral Endoscopic Myotomy) | 99% Success Rate | Complication Rates | Training Requirements | Ambulation Outcomes | 71-83% with Cell Lines A & B | 20% without cells | In Utero Myelomeningocele Repair | Human Placental Mesenchymal Stromal Cells | Neuroprotection | Clinical Cell Line Selection

The text on each slide
  1. Craniofacial | Made possible by Cincinnati Children's | CORONAL CRANIOSYNOSTOSIS | The Harlequin deformity (one eye socket pulled up & slanted) is usually fixed by cutting bone around the eye. | WHAT IF WE DON'T HAVE TO? | 1/5
  2. Craniofacial | Made possible by Cincinnati Children's | CORONAL CRANIOSYNOSTOSIS | CINCINNATI CHILDREN'S APPROACH | RESHAPE IT, DON'T CUT IT OUT | Release the fused suture, then slowly distract across the open sutures to reshape the orbit. | 2/5
  3. Craniofacial | Made possible by Cincinnati Children's | In my opinion, that's [distraction of the open sutures] what's changing the Harlequin deformity... and potentially the strabismus [misaligned eyes] with it. | Scott Rapp, MD, FACS | Associate Professor, UC Department of Surgery, Cincinnati Children's | 3/5
  4. Craniofacial | Made possible by Cincinnati Children's | CORONAL CRANIOSYNOSTOSIS | THE CATCH | NOTICE IT EARLY | It only works while the skull-base sutures are still open. So refer early. | 4/5
  5. Craniofacial | Made possible by Cincinnati Children's | CORONAL CRANIOSYNOSTOSIS | THE BIGGER QUESTION | DO THESE EXTRA CUTS HELP OR HURT? | This approach is newer, not yet the standard approach, and less invasive. Cincinnati Children's is exploring whether this smaller operation, done early, truly gives a better result. | 5/5
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