Author(s)

Mohamed Gaber Abdel Tawab, Mostafa A. Latif, Ashraf Abdel Latif Osman

Fayoum University, Fayoum, Egypt.

Introduction: Cranioplasty is the surgical repair of a bony defect or deformity in the skull that is caused after cranial surgery or trauma. It carries cosmetic and protective benefits. Many types of materials are allowed. The subject of this study is to compare the outcome of two different manufacturing processes in reconstruction of calvarial skull defects by using 3D custom-made cranioprostheses versus hand-made bone cement implants. Patient and Methods: This is a prospective comparative study conducted on 20 patients of calvarial skull defects of different etiologies, sites and sizes, admitted in the neurosurgical departments of Cairo and Fayoum Universities in the period from August 2017 to February 2018. Patients are divided into two study groups: (group 1) 10 patients operated upon by 3D custom-made implant; (group 2) operated upon by hand-made bone cement implant. Statistical Analysis Used: Mann-Whitney test and Chi-square test. Results: Craniotomy using 3D custom-made implants gives better results than using bone cement in the functional restoration of skull shape and cranial protection with shorter operative time and less rate of postoperative complications. There is no statistically significant difference between the two study groups regarding cosmetic outcome. Conclusion: 3D custom-made implant is recommended for large and complex skull defects. Further and large studies might be needed.

Cranioplasty, Custom-Made Implant, Bone Cement

Tawab, M. and Ashraf Abdel Latif Osman, M. (2019) Cranioplasty of Calvarial Skull Defects: A Comparative Study between Using Three Dimensional Custom-Made Cranioprostheses versus Hand-Made Bone Cement in Restoring Skull Configuration. Open Journal of Modern Neurosurgery, 9, 314-326. doi: 10.4236/ojmn.2019.93030.