Frontal Cranioplasty by using Multiple Osteotomy

ABSTRACT

Cranioplasty is a method of the correction of defects and deformities of the bony walls protecting the brain. If defects and deformities are located in the frontal region, the correction is often necessary for cosmetic reasons. Rib, iliac bone and calvarium may be used for frontal cranioplasty. Rib bone and iliac bone have the donor morbidity and may result in cosmetically unacceptable contour. Calvarium is superior to the ilium and rib for it causes less donor site morbidity, it's consistency is harder than others and postoperative bone resorption is less. But it is difficult to mold and shape at the operative table, because the contour of parietal bone is different from that of frontal bone. For the last recent two years, we have performed frontal cranioplasty in five patients with frontal defect or deformity, by using calvarial bone graft that is molded with multiple osteotomy and microplate. Follow-up period ranged from 6 to 18 months with a mean of 12 months. There were no complications. This technique was simple and we could get aesthetically good contour on the frontal area.