Cranioplasty Using Frozen Autologous Bone

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: Variable materials have been used in cranioplasty of skull defects, of which autologous bone is the most ideal. The authors explore methods and clinical results of cranioplasty with frozen autologous bone. METHODS: Cranioplasty was performed using frozen autologous bone in 16 patients with skull defects between August 1997 and April 1999. Primary diseases were severe head injury in 14 patients and cerebral infarction in two patients, and all of them received decompressive craniectomy. Cranioplasty were done from 25 to 225 days after primary operation. The mean follow-up period was 34 months. RESULTS: There was no infection or epidural hematoma. During the follow-up period, autologous bone flap were fused firmly to the skull without absorptive evidences and delayed complications. It was satisfactory in all cases when considered aesthetic aspects. CONCLUSION: Cranioplasty using frozen autologous bone is safe and satisfactory method for repair of surgically induced skull defects.