Dr. Frank Vicari of Advocate Children's Hospital in Park Ridge Leads Innovative Research for Flat Head Syndrome

The occurrence of babies developing flat heads, called plagiocephaly and more commonly referred to as “flat head syndrome,” has reached epidemic proportions in recent years. According to an article published in the March 2015 issue of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, plagiocephaly can be corrected in more than 90 percent of cases. The article, titled “Effectiveness of Conservative Therapy and Helmet Therapy for Positional Cranial Deformation,” recommends a coordinated approach of “tummy time,” physical therapy and, when necessary, a cranial “helmet” that has proven to be largely effective.

Dr. Frank Vicari, a pediatric plastic surgeon with Advocate Children’s Medical Group, is senior author of the article and conducted the research it details. The findings have recently been recognized and endorsed by Dr. Kant Lin, president of the American Society of Maxillofacial Surgery.

Dr. Vicari has treated thousands of infants in his multispecialty Advocate Children’s Medical Group Head Shape Clinic in Park Ridge, Ill. Patients are carefully evaluated by a team of experts at the clinic. Accurate head measurements are obtained with the use of a laser-guided 3D imaging system known as the STARscanner. Following this evaluation, an individualized treatment plan is developed to maximize the opportunity for correcting the condition.

Sleep preferences, turn preferences and muscle imbalance are often contributors to flat head syndrome, making physical and occupational therapy integral for proper evaluation and treatment. Correcting torticollis, a condition marked by an abnormal head or neck position, with a home program and therapy also may correct the head shape irregularity in a majority of the cases. When the severity is too great or progress is insufficient, helmet therapy is initiated, leading to a correction of the problem in over 90 percent of cases.

Dr. Vicari is chief of pediatric plastic surgery / craniofacial surgery at Advocate Children’s Hospital and director of Advocate’s Head Shape Evaluation Program.

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