1 Department of Pediatrics, Stanford University School of Medicine, Palo Alto, California 94304
The review article by Drs. Shillito and Matson (Pediatrics, 41:829, 1968) provides an opportunity to assess the proper treatment of craniostenosis. The constant interest of these excellent neurosurgeons over many years should provide the minimal morbidity and mortality figures against which to weigh the benefits of surgery. Unfortunately, once again, the field is clouded by lumping all forms of craniostenosis as one entity. Few would be unwilling to accept a 14% morbidity and mortality faced with the patient in Figure 24 with closure of all sutures, but is it acceptable for the patient in Figure 19 with the minimal de formity of metopic stenosis?