Prolonged drain use was associated with postoperative infection and may represent an independent source of infection or may be an indicator of delayed healing. Early tissue expansion was associated with earlier drain removal and so may help avoid infectious complications and improve outcomes. Early expansion was not associated with an increase in complications. Results from this study have informed our current drain management practice. Whether this has led to a reduction in our infection rate is a future topic of study.

TXA decreased blood product transfusion requirements in patients undergoing CVR for sagittal craniosynostosis, and should be a routine part of the strategy to reduce blood loss in these procedures.