COLUMBIA, Mo., Feb. 20 (UPI) -- U.S. scientists have found a minimally invasive surgical technique to treat craniosynostosis -- the premature fusion of an infant's skull -- is effective.

Surgeons have used one of two procedures to correct the problem. One procedure was to make an incision from ear to ear, strip back the infant's scalp and reshape the skull by breaking the fused bones. The other procedure required a small incision near the point of the fused skull plates.

In the new study, University of Missouri School of Medicine researchers found the minimally invasive technique is just as effective and results in a quicker recovery time than the old technique.

With craniosynostosis, two or more of the skull plates fuse prematurely, restricting growth in the head for the brain.

"Instead of exposing the skull as surgeons do with the old technique, we are able to make two small incisions and remove a small strip of bone," said Assistant Professor Dr. Usiakimi Igbaseimokumo, who said the procedure is not only successful in correcting the problem but is also as effective than the older procedure in the long term.

Igbaseimokumo presented the findings during a recent meeting of the International Society of Pediatric Neurosurgeons.