A nine-month-old Queensland baby born with a rare deformity has undergone a six-hour life-changing operation to reshape his skull.
Mater Private Hospital Brisbane neurosurgeon Dr Robert Campbell and plastic and reconstructive surgeon Dr Diana Kennedy said Lawson Thompson was born with craniosynostosis, meaning the bones in his head were fused together, leaving no space for his brain to grow and giving his head a misshapen appearance.
Craniosynostosis is a condition that affects around one in 2000 babies.
Dr Campbell said early treatment can minimise developmental problems due to pressure on the brain.
Last Monday (17 March), Dr Campbell and Dr Kennedy successfully repaired Lawson's cranial defect, which involved remodelling and reshaping his skull at Mater Private Children's Brisbane.
Mum Natasha Strickland said Lawson's paediatrician, Dr Tony Prado, identified there was an issue with the shape of his head just six weeks after their son was born at South Brisbane's Mater Mothers' Hospital.
"I had also noticed his head was growing in an elongated shape," Ms Strickland said.
"His head was shaped like a bullet and kept changing as he grew."
Ms Strickland, from Wavell Heights, admitted she was "absolutely scared" about the outcome of Lawson's surgery.
"The operation was big, he will have a scar from ear to ear, but his hair will eventually cover that," she said.
"We noticed the difference the surgery had made pretty much immediately, and my partner Jamie and I can't thank the team at Mater for giving our little boy a better chance at life."
Every year Mater and the adjoining Queensland Children's Hospital perform an average of 40 complex craniofacial surgeries each year.
This year marks the 50th anniversary since the first craniofacial surgery was performed at Mater by now retired Professor Leigh Atkinson.
Dr Campbell said advances in technology over the past 50 years had vastly improved surgical and patient outcomes.
"These days there are 3D CT scans and 3D models, computer simulations and pre-planned cutting guides, as well as dissolvable plates and screws," Dr Campbell said.
"There's also been the introduction of diagnostic genetics, genetics imaging, computing operative tools and ultrasonic welding of bone."
Dr Campbell and plastic and reconstructive surgeon Dr Diana Kennedy have worked closely at Mater for several years, providing craniofacial treatments for children across Queensland and New South Wales, as well as from Papua New Guinea, Pacific Islands and elsewhere.
"Our aim is to complete surgery for patients under 12 months as a one-stop solution, but some children require further surgery as they age," Dr Campbell said.
"We are now seeing a few families with children of different ages affected, and even some multi-generational cases of grandparents, parents and newborn children."
Dr Campbell said performing life-changing surgery on his patients was "fairly emotionally charged".
