History of the Kleeblattschädel deformity: origin of concepts and evolution of management in the past 50 years

Abstract

The history and evolution of surgical strategies for the treatment of Kleeblattschädel deformity are not well described in the medical literature. Kleeblattschädel anomaly is one of the most formidable of the craniosynostoses, requiring a multidisciplinary team for surgical treatment. The initial descriptions of this cloverleaf deformity and the evolution of surgical treatment are detailed in the present report. Two illustrative cases of Kleeblattschädel deformity, syndromic and nonsyndromic craniosynostoses treated by the senior authors, are also described along with insights into operative strategies.