Reconstruction of Postoperative Calvarial and Skull Base byTiNi-based Implants in Cancer Patients

Abstract

At the Cancer Research Institute together with the Research Institute of Medical Materials and Tomsk State University, various types of implants from titanium nickelid (TiNi) were developed for the reconstruction of skull bone defects. Between 2000 and 2015, a total of 43 patients with malignant and benign calvarial and skull base tumors were treated. All patients underwent surgery alone or in combination with other treatment modalities. Fifty surgeries with primary reconstruction of calvarial and skull base defects using individually fabricated TiNi implants were performed. Our techniques for the reconstruction of postoperative skull bone defects appeared to be highly effective: restoration of supporting structures was achieved in 100% of cases, stability in 96% of patients, integrity and barrier function in 90% of cases. The TiNi implants have high mechanical strength and biocompatibility. No cases of fragmentation and rejection of the implants were registered.