Tiaan was diagnosed with Sagittal Synostosis at six weeks of age.

Tiaan’s First Operation

Tiaan Heyns was born on 28 May 07. At birth we noticed that he did not have a fontanel like other babies. We have monitored this for 6 weeks because his skull was overlapping. At his six week checkup we were told that he needs to under go an operation for craniosynostosis.  

We were referred to a Neuro Surgeon (Dr F Snycker), he explained the procedure to us, which I did not take in much due to the shock.  Dr Snycker said we need to monitor Tiaan for 3 years (with a regular check up once a year) and if his skull grows closed before 3 years he would need to repeat the procedure. 

Tiaan under went his first operation on 14 Aug 07 when he was only 2 ½ months.  The procedure was done at Milpark hospital.  One good thing was that I was allowed to stay with him the whole time. 

The operation took 4 ½ hours (which felt like a life time). Tiaan was in ICU for 2 days and in the General ward for 4 days.

Tiaan’s second Operation

At Tiaan’s one year check up we told that he needs to undergo the same procedure again. 

Tiaan’s second operation was on 9 Sept 08. This time he spend in hospital was 1 ½ days in ICU and two days in the general ward. 

He is doing well we now, we just need to get his immune system to build up again and we hope that he does not have to go again next year.