A selective uncoparahippocampectomy with a tentorial edge incision and a wide decompressive craniectomy with duraplasty can be an effective adjuvant form of aggressive treatment to improve outcome in patients with severe closed head injury, especially in those who are younger if they are treated promptly.

Background:Decompressive craniectomy (DC) is a procedure that is currently performed with increasing frequency. The reason is that its indications have become much broader. This procedure may be associated with the relevant morbidity in the postoperative stage due to the creation of a large bone defect. On the other hand, cranioplasty is associated too with some of the common complications related to any reconstructive head surgery. The authors present a newly developed device: The “Skull Flap” (SF). This new device allows the surgeon to complete a DC, yet providing at the same time a cranial reconstruction that will not require the patient to undergo a second reconstructive procedure.Materials and Methods:Different size and location craniectomies were carried out on four human cadaveric heads; the bone flaps were then repositioned in a more elevated position with respect to the skull edges. The flaps were placed at a distance of 12 and 15 mm from the skull edges using the SF system. Crash tests were conducted on each flap while in open and closed positions to assess its reliability and efficacy.Results:SF was shown to be a strong fixation device that allows satisfactory brain decompression by keeping the original bone flap away from the swollen brain; at the same time, in a later stage, it allows cranial reconstruction in a simple way.Conclusion:The SF device was shown to be very easy to use, adaptable, and practical to apply; thus, allowing both satisfactory brain decompression as well as bone flap repositioning at a later time after the brain swelling has subsided.

The "Skull Grip" has shown to be a reliable, effective and stronger bone flap fixation device when compared to traditional sutures.

Background:Decompressive craniectomy (DC) is a procedure performed increasingly often in current neurosurgical practice. Significant perioperative morbidity may be associated to this procedure because of the large skull defect; also, later closure of the skull defect (cranioplasty) may be associated to post-operative morbidity as much as any other reconstructive operation. The authors present a newly conceived/developed device: The “Skull Flap” (SF). This system, placed at the time of the craniectomy, offers the possibility to provide cranial reconstruction sparing patients a second operation. In other words, DC and cranioplasty essentially take place at the same time and in addition, patients retain their own bone flap. The current study conducted on animal models, represents the logical continuation of a prior recent study, realized on cadaver specimens, to assess the efficacy and safety of this recently developed device.Materials and Methods:This is an experimental pilot study on dogs to assess both safety and efficacy of the SF device. Two groups of experimental raised intracranial pressure animal models underwent DC; in the first group of dogs, the bone flap was left in raised position above the skull defect using the SF device; on the second group the flap was discarded. All dogs underwent transcranial Doppler (TCD) to assess brain perfusion. Head computed tomography (CT) scan to determine flap position was also obtained in the group in which the SF device was placed.Results:SF has proved to be a strong fixation device that allows satisfactory brain decompression by keeping the bone flap elevated from the swollen brain; later on, the SF allows cranial reconstruction in a simple way without requiring a second staged operation. In addition, it is relevant to note that brain perfusion was measured and found to be better in the group receiving the SF (while the flap being in a raised as well as in its natural position) comparing to the other group.Conclusion:The SF device has proved to be very easy to place, well-adaptable to a different type of flaps and ultimately very effective in maintaining satisfactory brain decompression and later on, making easy bone flap repositioning after brain swelling has subsided.

Aesthetic appearance and brain protection are the main indications for cranial reconstruction following decompressive craniectomy. Recently, few reports indicated that cranioplasty could also improve both, cognitive and functional status. A group of 20 patients were treated with decompressive craniectomy following closed head injury; among these patients, two of them (who represent the subject of the current investigation) had to undergo subsequent cranioplasty removal due to the development of local infection. All patients were evaluated by Glasgow outcome scale, frontal assessment battery and mini-mental state examination at 1 week before completion of the cranioplasty as well as 6 and 24 weeks following cranioplasty. Perfusion computed tomography scans were also performed (1 week before and 6 weeks after cranioplasty) as well as a trans-cranial Doppler 1 week before, and 6 and 24 weeks after. The two patients being the subject of this study were also clinically and radiologically evaluated after cranioplasty removal. These two patients, who represent (not intentionally) two case control, showed a real clinical and cerebral perfusion improvement following repair of the skull defect followed by obvious clinical worsening after the skull flap had to be removed. Cranioplasty is likely not to have just a positive influence on cosmetic and protective features of the patients but also seem to improve both, cognitive and functional status by favorably influencing local and global brain hemodynamic and perfusion.