Metopic synostosis: in favour of a “simplified” surgical treatment

Metopic synostosis is a relatively simple form of craniosynostosis, resulting from premature fusion of the metopic suture. In this pathology different degrees of dysmorphia of the anterior cranial fossa and the presence of associated anomalies of the skull might enable specific subgroups to be identified. Since most functional and cosmetic anomalies benefit from early surgical treatment, over the last few years neurosurgeons have been forced to elaborate less drastic, but nonetheless effective, surgical techniques. In the present report we analyze the surgical results obtained in a series of 62 infants with trigonocephaly operated on within their 1st year of life. Patients were subdivided into two groups (group I: 8 patients; group II: 54 patients) according to the specific dysmorphic characteristics of the frontal bone and anterior cranial fossa, and the presence of compensatory deformities affecting the anterior cranial base and temporo-parietal region. All the patients were treated using one of two relatively simple surgical techniques (procedure A: inversion of two hemifrontal bone flaps-48 cases; procedure B: the shell operation-14 cases). Both surgical procedures appeared to be effective, allowing adequate functional and cosmetic correction of the cranial deformity. In patients operated on following procedure B surgical time and and blood loss were dramatically reduced. Long-term outcomes were satisfactory in all cases, irrespective of the surgical technique used. In the group II patients, however, progressive normalization of the interorbital distance was constantly observed, suggesting a different degree of stenotic involvement at the level of the anterior cranial base in these patients.Presented at the Consensus Conference on Craniosynostoses, Rome, 4–6 May 1995     

Effectiveness of a limited invasive scalp approach in the correction of sagittal craniosynostosis

Background Several surgical techniques have been proposed for the correction of sagittal craniosynostosis. Extensive procedures seem to ensure the most stable long-term results and are more indicated in the older age group. Mini-invasive approaches are particularly useful in the very young infant as they are associated with a minor surgical risk. Furthermore, they are weighted by a minor cosmetic impact related to a less extended surgical scar. Materials and methods Data of the last 94 consecutively operated on scaphocephalic patients have been reviewed to verify the effectiveness of a personal limited-invasive approach based on four to six short linear scalp incisions vs the traditional bicoronal skin flap. The patients have been divided in two groups: (1) the control group (2000–2002): 45 children, operated on by means of a traditional bicoronal skin incision, and (2) the study group (2002–2004): 49 children, treated through four to six linear scalp incisions. The patients’ variables were comparable. The results were evaluated in terms of duration of the surgical procedure, estimated blood loss (EBL), transfusion risk, postoperative complication rate, length of hospital stay, and postoperative cephalic index and cosmetic outcome as perceived by the patients’ families. Results No significant differences between the two groups were found about the early and the long-term surgical results; however, about one third of the subjects of the control group complained about the visibility of the surgical scar. In the study group, a significant reduction in the duration of the operation (p < 0.0001), postoperative hospital stay (p < 0.0001), EBL (p = 0.011), transfusion risk (p = 0.018), and complication rate (p = 0.016) was observed. Conclusion The current trend in the management of scaphocephaly is to favor simplified surgical procedures to be performed in the younger ages prevalently. The technique here presented allows achieving a stable long-term cranial reshaping, even when performed in the very young patient. The technique can be utilized also in older subjects with results comparable to those of more extensive surgical procedures. This less invasive technique is weighted by minor complication rates and minor impact of the surgical scar. Presented at the Consensus Conference on Pediatric Neurosurgery, Rome, 1–2 December 2006.     

Blood sparing in craniosynostosis surgery

One of the main risks of craniosynostosis surgery is the possible need for an allogenic blood transfusion (ABT). Most patients are operated on in the first months of life, when physiological conditions are particularly sensitive to even limited blood losses. Furthermore, most surgical techniques proposed in the past were based on extensive craniectomies and cranial remodeling. Because of the known infective and immunologic risks of ABT, in recent years more attention has been dedicated to factors that might help reduce the risk of ABT. We review recent preoperative (ie, erythropoietin administration), intraoperative (ie, acute normovolemic hemodilution, intraoperative blood salvage), and postoperative (ie, clinical monitoring, postoperative blood salvage) anesthesiologic procedures developed with this aim in mind. We also consider operative techniques and technical apparatus that reduce surgical invasiveness, particularly preoperative planning, age selection, and the role of endoscopic assistance and gradual distraction devices.     

The Christmas tree foreheadplasty: a novel technique used in combination with a bandeau for fronto-orbital remodelling in craniosynostosis

Purpose

Craniosynostosis of the coronal, metopic and frontosphenoidal sutures results in deformity of the forehead. This may cause both functional and psychological difficulties for patient and parent. We describe a novel surgical technique, the ‘Christmas tree foreheadplasty’, used in combination with a supraorbital bandeau to achieve fronto-orbital remodelling.

Methods

Between November 2008 and September 2011, 32 patients with craniosynostosis underwent fronto-orbital remodelling with a supraorbital bandeau in combination with Christmas tree foreheadplasty. Indications for surgery, age at surgery, blood transfusion requirements, length of hospital stay and perioperative complications were assessed. A ‘blinded’, independent reviewer, age-matched controlled, panel photograph study was also undertaken to review results of the surgery. A parental satisfaction survey by telephone questionnaire was undertaken.

Results

Mean age at surgery was 16?months. Average hospital stay was 3?days. Mean follow up time to this report was 19.5?months. Indications for the procedure included unicoronal, frontosphenoidal, metopic and bicoronal synostosis. Thirty of the 32 patients required a blood transfusion. One patient has required revision surgery following extrusion of prosthetic fixation plate. Surgical outcome measured by ‘blinded’ independent reviewers indicated that a significantly different preoperative score from normal was rendered to no significant difference from age-matched normal controls postoperatively. Parental satisfaction score of forehead appearance was significantly improved by the technique.

Conclusion

The Christmas tree foreheadplasty is a commendable and reproducible technique for forehead remodelling in combination with supraorbital bandeau and is now used more widely for forehead reconstruction for congenital cases.     

Trigeminal Branch Stimulation for Intractable Neuropathic Pain: Technical Note

Intractable neuropathic facial pain resulting from injury to the peripheral branches of the trigeminal nerve presents a significant challenge for neurologists, pain specialists, and neurosurgeons. In this paper, we describe our technique of peripheral nerve stimulation of the infraorbital and supraorbital nerves to treat patients with medically intractable facial pain. Stimulation of the infraorbital and supraorbital nerves is performed using percutaneously inserted electrodes that are positioned in the epifascial plane, traversing the course of the infraorbital or supraorbital nerves. The temporary electrodes are inserted under fluoroscopic guidance and are anchored to the skin. A trial lasting a few days is followed, if successful, by insertion of a permanent electrode that is tunneled under the skin behind the ear toward the infraclavicular pocket, which houses the implantable pulse generator. Our technique of electrode insertion to stimulate the infraorbital or supraorbital nerves has been successfully used in several patients with neuropathic trigeminal pain of various etiologies. In patients who underwent permanent electrode implantation, stimulation resulted in long lasting pain relief; complications were rare and minor. We conclude that trigeminal branch stimulation is a simple technique that can be used in selected patients with neuropathic pain in the distribution of the infraorbital or supraorbital nerves. This procedure may provide relief of medically intractable pain, without the need for destructive procedures or more central modulation approaches.     

Hybrid surgery for scaphocephaly with distraction osteogenesis using skull expanders: technical note

Background

The authors described their surgical technique for scaphocephaly in relatively older infants who are 5?months old or over. The technique is a kind of hybrid of distraction osteogenesis utilizing skull expanders and a traditional cranial reconstruction procedure.

Surgery

The surgery usually consists of four procedures. The first is to make strip craniotomy over the superior sagittal sinus (SSS) from the major fontanelle to the minor one. The second is the occipital craniotomy for the occipital bossing. The occipital bone flap undergoes barrel stave osteotomy and is repositioned later. The third is placement of skull expander for distraction osteogenesis. Bidirectional small strip craniotomy is made along the coronal and lambdoid sutures, then transverse cutting is added to make a hinge point near the base of the parietal bone. Two to three skull expanders are placed crossing the SSS. The last procedure is radial-oriented osteotomy on the dorsal end of frontal bone to meet the elevated, expanded parietal bone. Skull expansion starts within a week with 5?mm/week base up to 20 to 30?mm. Exposed shafts of the expander are cut at the end of skull expansion.

Discussion

Process of osteogenesis is followed at an outpatient clinic, and the expanders are removed 4 to 6?months later after confirming the sufficient ossification. An advantage of our procedure is that maximum skull expansion is possible with minimum regression after distraction osteogenesis in the long term. Limited craniotomy enables limited blood loss. The skin trouble caused by stretching can be avoided. No postoperative helmet is required. A disadvantage is that the procedure leaves a foreign body on the skull for several months and requires additional surgery for removal.     

眶上锁孔入路手术切除前颅底脑膜瘤的临床效果

目的 探讨经眶上锁孔入路手术切除前颅窝底脑膜瘤的临床效果。方法 自2010年1月至2015年1月,我们经眶上锁孔入路锁孔手术切除前颅窝底脑膜瘤24例（锁孔组）;同期采用传统额下入路手术切除前颅窝底脑膜瘤25例（传统组）。结果 锁孔组与传统组性别、年龄、病程、肿瘤大小、术中输血率、肿瘤全切率及并发症发生率等均无统计学差异（P>0.05）,但是锁孔组手术时间（指切皮开始到缝合皮肤结束为止）、术中出血量及住院时间较传统组明显减少（P<0.01）。锁孔组术后1例出现颅内感染,给予抗感染治疗后痊愈出院。传统组术后1例出现颅内感染,1例发生脑脊液漏,给予抗感染等对症治疗后痊愈出院。两组均无死亡病人。结论 与传统额下入路手术相比,经眶上锁孔入路手术切除前颅窝底脑膜瘤效果满意,并具有手术时间短、术中出血量少、住院时间短等优势。     

Microsurgical Experience with Supraorbital Keyhole Operations on Anterior Circulation Aneurysms

Objective

Conventional pterional approach is a commonly used neurosurgical technique for the treatment of cerebral aneurysms. However, this technique requires more extensive brain exposure than other key hole approaches and is sometimes associated with surgical traumatization or cosmetic problems. The aim of this study was to compare the postoperative outcome between pterional and supraorbital keyhole approaches in the patients with anterior circulation aneurysms.

Methods

The authors reviewed patients with anterior circulation aneurysms who underwent aneurysm clipping via pterional or supraorbital keyhole approach at a single institute over a period of 2 years. Ninety-eight patients harboring 108 aneurysms were included in this study. Various outcomes were recorded, which included clinical grade, cosmetic problems, patients'' satisfaction and complications such as chewing discomfort, frontal muscle weakness, hyposmia, infection.

Results

The supraorbital approach exhibited a shorter operation time compared with the pterional approach. Complications such as chewing discomfort occurred less frequently in the supraorbital approach group. Moreover, the cosmetic outcome was significantly better in the supraorbital group than in the pterional group.

Conclusion

The supraorbital keyhole approach reduced intra- and postoperative complications, including chewing discomfort and cosmetic disturbances, compared with the conventional pterional approach.     

The circle of sagittal synostosis surgery

Sagittal synostosis, the premature closure of the sagittal suture, accounts for more than 50% of all nonsyndromic single-suture synostoses. Although no detrimental neurologic effects can be directly attributed to the synostosis, a number of patients will have relatively increased intracranial pressure. Surgical correction for sagittal synostosis has evolved from simple removal of bone strips to extensive cranial remodeling, all in a attempt to achieve a normal head shape. The lack of outcome measures has limited the surgeon's ability to choose one surgical procedure over another. The use of a cranial helmet for passive molding of the head after surgery is effective when used with limited endoscopic surgery. We present the results of using an extended strip craniectomy combined with long-duration molding helmet therapy and compare it with other reported methods. The results suggest that passive molding with the helmet may have a greater effect on cranial shape than surgery.     

A simple technique for the correction of frontal bossing in synostotic scaphocephaly

Introduction Scaphocephaly may be accompanied by bossing of the frontal bones. In severe cases, this frontal deformation must be directly addressed during surgery. We describe a simple and effective surgical technique of reducing frontal bossing in scaphocephalic infants, avoiding the creation and transposition of free bone flaps. Surgical technique After sagittal suturectomy and parietal barrel stave incisions, four (or five) lanceolate pieces of the frontal bone, extending in a radial orientation from the cranial base towards the fontanel, are excised, resulting in three (or four) vertical bone bridges. Small strips (rectangular to the apico-basal axis) are cut out from these bridges, leaving basal and apical bone tongues. The tabula externa at the base of the basal tongues is drilled off and the tongues are bent inward to correct the inferior aspect of the frontal bossing. Corresponding basal and apical bone tongues are then re-approached and fixated with sutures. Results This results in an immediate cosmetic improvement. There are no transposition and re-insertion of free bone flaps necessary, as all bone elements stay attached to the basal or apical calvaria. Plate and screw fixation is not needed. Patients and methods This procedure was applied in 15 scaphocephalic infants (<1-year old) with severe frontal bossing; it needed an additional 30 min operating time compared with suturectomy and barrel stave cuts alone. Conclusion The described technique is easy and fast and resulted in satisfactory cosmetic improvement in all patients. We recommend it for the correction of frontal bossing in scaphocephalic infants undergoing surgery in the first year of life.     

Microsurgical supraorbital keyhole approach to the anterior cranial base

We evaluated treatment of patients with anterior cranial base lesions with supraorbital keyhole surgery. Limited supraorbital craniotomy through an eyebrow skin incision was performed on 21 adult patients between August 2007 and January 2009 at one institution. Each patient’s cosmesis was evaluated after the operation using a visual analog scale for cosmesis (VASC). Thirteen patients were treated for ruptured intracranial aneurysms and eight patients for mass lesions in the anterior cranial fossa. The mean follow-up duration was 16.5 months. No identifiable neurological or vascular complications related to this procedure were noted during follow-up; however, two patients died from causes unrelated to the procedure. Of the 19 patients who were followed-up, 89% of patients, and 84% by physician evaluation, were satisfied with the cosmetic result, noting >75 mm on the VASC. Anterior cranial fossa lesions can be adequately and safely treated via a minimally invasive supraorbital craniotomy when performed on suitable patients by an experienced surgeon. This approach decreases brain manipulation and results in a pleasing cosmetic outcome while minimizing the likelihood of procedure-related morbidity.     

Osteogenesis induced by autologous bone marrow cells transplant in the pediatric skull

Background and purpose The ability of cranial bone to repair defects of continuity is limited and it is mostly dependent on the age of the patient. In infancy and in early pediatric age, the scarce thickness of the calvarial bones and the need for a harmonic development of the child’s skull limit the application of most of the surgical procedures usually utilized in older patients. We tested the ability of mononucleated cells, derived from the patient’s bone marrow and transplanted on the site of the cranial bone defect, to increase the rate of mineralization of the autologous osteogenesis to obtain the complete restoration of the skull continuity.Method Four children, aged 26, 28, 37, and 79 months, respectively, affected by a stabilized and persistent cranial bone defect of posttraumatic or postsurgical origin, were treated. A sandwich-shaped shell, made of extrused absorbable polylactic copolymers material, was used to hold in place a freeze-dried mineralized collagen matrix associated with a nonceramic hydroxyapatite scaffold, where autologous bone marrow mononucleated cells were inseminated.Results In all patients, a rapid autologous bone osteogenesis was observed with a clear dimensional reduction of the bone defect few months after the autologous bone marrow cells seeding.Conclusions The preliminary results of this research suggest the use of autologous bone marrow cells to increase the autologous osteogenesis in early pediatric age in cases in which correction of skull bone defects is best realized with autologous bone.     

Surgical correction of metopic synostosis

Background Premature closure of the metopic suture results in deformation of the anterior portion of the calvarium, which can vary from mild to severe. In mild forms, there is only prominent ridging of the metopic suture; more severe forms result in a marked narrowing of the frontal and temporal regions that in turn affects the supraorbital rims and produces hypotelorism.Methods The authors retrospectively reviewed 39 consecutive cases of metopic synostosis treated over a 12-year period.Results The average age at referral was 5 months, with surgery performed at an average age of 7.5 months. Fifteen infants had other congenital anomalies, with eight having synostosis of other sutures. Follow-up ranged from 7 months to 6 years, with an average of 29 months. In three mild cases, burring of the metopic ridge was performed with excellent aesthetic results in all cases. The other 36 patients had significant deformity of the supraorbital ridges and temporal regions, with obvious hypotelorism for over 50% of the time. In these cases, the patients underwent craniofacial reconstruction to normalize their appearance. In addition, the lateral aspect of the sphenoid ridges, including the orbital roof and lateral orbital wall to the infraorbital fissure, was removed to free the cranial base. The average blood loss was under 400 ml and the average hospital stay was 3.6 days. Results were considered good to excellent in all except three cases, which had recurrence of a prominent metopic ridge; two required a second operation after 6 months for burring of this ridge, whereas the third was treated conservatively with an orthotic headband.Conclusion Mild forms of metopic synostosis can be successfully treated with burring of the metopic ridge alone. Severe forms require craniofacial reconstruction and may be associated with other congenital abnormalities, additional synostosis, and developmental delay. In all cases, the operative procedure must be tailored to the nature and severity of the deformity.     

Fronto-orbital remodeling without orbito-naso-frontal bandeau

INTRODUCTION: Fronto-orbital bilateral advance is the procedure of choice for the treatment of craniosynostosis affecting most of the anterior area of the skull and orbitomalar regions. The aim of the technique is to achieve a supra-orbital bilateral bar and a frontal bone. We have introduced a modification in order to simplify the technique. PATIENTS AND METHODS: From November 1998 to January 2002, 18 patients with craniosynostosis have been surgically treated using our technique. The mean age when the treatment was performed was 6.93 months (range 3 to 22 months). Brain computed tomography (CT) scans and three-dimensional (3-D) reconstruction of CT scans were performed before and after treatment. SURGICAL TECHNIQUE: A bifrontal craniotomy was performed taking the osteotomy up to the supraorbital rim. A new frontal bone was obtained from another region of the cranium creating new orbital edges. The osteosynthesis was conducted using absorbable materials. RESULTS. The follow-up of the patients ranged from 3 months to 3 years. All patients were studied using CT scans and 3-D reconstruction of CT after treatment, which demonstrated the persistence of the fronto-orbital advance. No secondary complications related to the new technique were found in any of the patients. CONCLUSIONS: The frontal-orbital advance obtained was stable. The technique was simplified by not creating a supraorbital bar and by reducing the bone fixation points. The manipulation of both frontal lobes and orbital globes was negligible. The aesthetic results were excellent.     

Ectopic recurrence of a craniopharyngioma in a 15-year-old girl 9 years after surgery and conventional radiotherapy: case report

This 15-year-old girl was operated due to an ectopic recurrence of a craniopharyngioma along the previous surgical route. She presented with a sellar craniopharyngioma at the age of 4 years and underwent a right subfrontal craniotomy. Two and a half years later she had a local recurrence in the sella that was resected along the same surgical route. Postoperative cranial radiotherapy was administered with 50 Gy divided into 28 fractions. Nine years later, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed a local recurrence within the sella together with a supraorbital cystic mass. Both tumors were surgically removed. Microscopic examination revealed recurrence of an adamantinous craniopharyngioma at both localisations. Histopathological preparations showed a higher MIB-1 index at the simultaneous recurrences in the sella and in the frontal lobe and also an elevated focal p53 expression, compared to previous operations, suggesting a transformation to a more aggressive tumor. This is the first case report of ectopic recurrence in a child that had received conventional radiotherapy of 50 Gy to the sella. Careful intra-operative procedure is probably crucial for preventing ectopic recurrences. The future will reveal if the transsphenoidal surgical route will put an end to ectopic tumor recurrence in patients with a craniopharyngioma.     

The modified hemi-Lothrop procedure: A variation of the endoscopic endonasal approach for resection of a supraorbital psammomatoid ossifying fibroma

Tumors in the supraorbital region are most commonly accessed through transcranial approaches, including fronto-orbital, orbitozygomatic, and eyebrow supraorbital keyhole approaches. Purely endoscopic endonasal approaches (EEA) are more challenging to perform because of limitations in access and visualization for lateral extension beyond the midline corridor. The modified hemi-Lothrop procedure, a variation of an extended EEA, allows for binostril access and visualization of the lateral supraorbital region while preserving the contralateral frontal sinus drainage pathway. The operative technique and nuances are illustrated in a rare case of a supraorbital juvenile psammomatoid ossifying fibroma (JPOF) causing symptomatic orbital compression. The key components of the approach consisted of an endoscopic Draf IIB (left frontal sinusotomy) ipsilateral to the tumor, and a superior septectomy for binostril bimanual instrumentation. Excellent visualization, access, and tumor removal of the supraorbital region was achieved with angled endoscopy and curved instrumentation from the contralateral nasal cavity and through the septectomy window (“cross-court” trajectory). The modified hemi-Lothrop procedure with angled endoscopy is a safe and effective alternative route to traditional transcranial approaches to access the supraorbital region. To our knowledge, this is the first case of a supraorbital JPOF that was successfully resected via a purely EEA.     

Surgical approaches: postoperative care and complications “posterolateral–far lateral transcondylar approach to the ventral foramen magnum and upper cervical spinal canal”

Background  Lesions that affect the lower clivus, foramen magnum, the craniocervical junction, and the upper cervical spinal canal that are anterolateral and at times intradural require access ventral to the cerebellum and spinal cord. The posterolateral transcondylar approach provides such a route. In addition, posterior craniocervical stabilization can be accomplished at the same time. The author has reviewed the technique as well as the surgical results here. Materials and methods  The posterolateral transcondylar approach to the craniocervical junction was utilized in children with schwannoma, meningioma, and chordoma affecting the cervicomedullary junction. Other entities such as neurenteric cysts and hemangioblastoma were also seen. Extradural tumors such as aneurysmal bone cysts of the atlas and the axis vertebrae as well as proatlas segmentation abnormalities and bone tumors were seen. The stability of the craniocervical junction was assessed preoperatively so that a fusion procedure could be accomplished at the same operative setting, if necessary. Preoperative evaluation of the lower cranial nerves was vital. The surgical procedure was accomplished in the prone position. The occipital bone removal was carried out up to the sigmoid sinus and toward the jugular bulb. Relocation of the vertebral artery was made at the atlas vertebra and thus provided posterolateral exposure into the posterior fossa and upper cervical spinal canal. Occipital condyle removal was limited to one-third of the medial occipital condyle. Results  Twenty-five children underwent a posterolateral transcondylar approach. New lower cranial nerve dysfunction occurred in two and only one required a tracheostomy. This was seen in a child with clivus chordoma. A complete removal was accomplished in meningioma and schwannoma as well as in neurenteric cyst and hemangioblastoma. Clivus chordomas required more than one surgical procedure. The tumors of the bone were all treated with simultaneous fusion. Conclusions  The posterolateral transcondylar route is a versatile avenue to approach a variety of lesions ventrolateral to the brain stem and upper cervical cord. Exposure is quite satisfactory with minimal or no retraction of important neurovascular structures in the region. Modifications of this theme can be applied as the lesions require.     

Hemispherotomy: description of surgical technique

INTRODUCTION: Hemispherectomy constitutes an established surgical method in the management of patients with medically intractable epilepsy, secondary to severe unilateral hemisphere damage. The well-established association of the anatomical hemispherectomy initially described with severe complications such as late hydrocephalus has led to the development of less resective and more disconnecting procedures. All these technical variations of hemispherotomy carry less favorable outcomes compared with anatomic hemispherectomy, but significantly fewer complications. METHODS: In our current communication, we outline the indications and the surgical technique of hemispherotomy and report our experience of the clinical application of this surgical procedure. RESULTS: In our clinical series, the 5-year follow-up shows that 66.6% of our patients (6 out of 9) had class I outcome according to Engel's classification system, 22.2% (2 out of 9) class II outcome, while 11.1% (1 out of 9) had class III outcome. No mortality occurred in the current series and operative blood loss was significantly lowered. CONCLUSION: Hemispherotomy represents a less efficacious technique compared with anatomic hemispherectomy, but is a safe and technically simple surgical alternative for the management of patients with medically intractable seizures.     

幕上骨瓣开颅清除骑跨横窦硬膜外血肿

目的探讨骑跨横窦的硬膜外血肿的手术治疗方法。方法对我科2003年12月至2005年12月收治的6例骑跨横窦硬膜外血肿病人均采用枕部幕上马蹄形皮骨瓣开颅,先清除幕上血肿,再经静脉窦与颅骨内板之间的空隙清除幕下硬膜外血肿。结果6例患者平均手术时间80min,术中失血少。术后5例血肿基本清除,1例幕上残留少量硬膜外血肿。出院时5例恢复良好,1例中残。结论采用枕部幕上马蹄形皮骨瓣开颅,能够顺利清除幕上、下硬膜外血肿,且手术时间短,清除血肿迅速,操作简单,出血少,术后不遗留颅骨缺损。     

Supplementation of cranial defects by an autologous bone flap stored in the abdominal wall

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: The aim of this paper is to present an alternative method of cranioplasty with the use of an autologous cranial bone flap stored between primary and restorative surgery in the subcutaneous pocket in the lateral hypogastric region. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Between January 1999 and April 2002, in the Department of Neurosurgery of Medical University of ?ód? we performed 36 procedures of the bone flap implantation into the abdominal subcutaneous fat tissue. These procedures followed craniectomy, mainly in cases of acute subdural hematomas and ruptured intracranial aneurysms. RESULTS: After storage, the bone flap was reimplanted in 28 patients. The mean time between operations was 14 days (range 8-53 days). In the cranioplasty group we had only one infection of the bone flap. Among patients excluded from the bone flap restoration we observed one inflammatory complication in the abdominal wall and one subcutaneous hematoma requiring evacuation. CONCLUSIONS: In our opinion, the presented method of the cranial defect's supplementation may be competitive to procedures utilizing synthetic prostheses in the population of patients for whom reimplantation of the bone flap will be expected in 2-3 months after the primary operation. Advantages of the procedure are: the autologous bone graft, the excellent cosmetic effect, low costs of the procedure and low rate of inflammatory complications.