Outcomes of Cranioplasty after Craniectomy

Abstract

Objective: Craniectomy is a widely used procedure in neurosurgery that results in more cranioplasties to repair skull defects. The complication rate after cranioplasties seems to be higher than elective craniotomies so this study was conducted to determine the outcome of cranioplasty after craniectomy.
 Materials & Methods: The patients included in this study had craniectomy and cranioplasty for any indication. Patients included had variables, such as age, sex, underlying pathology, craniectomy and cranioplasty dates, the material used for cranioplasty (autologous bone or methyl methacrylate), and methods of cranioplasty flap fixation (sutures or titanium plates and screws) follow up period and complications.
 Results: It was concluded that patients in the age group of 41 – 60 years (5 cases), males (7 cases), cranioplasty performed after 6 months (5cases) with autologous bone graft (8cases) were associated with more complications.
 Conclusion: The overall rate of complications associated with cranioplasties is not negligible, however, early cranioplasty in young patients with the use of polymethyl methacrylate may be associated with less complication rate.
 Keywords: Decompressive, Craniectomy, Cranioplasty, Autologous, Polymethyl Methacrylate