Abstract
In recent times a steady rise in cranioplasty operations has been noted because of increasing utilisation of decompressive craniectomy for trauma as well as stroke patients. A variety of techniques have been utilised for cranioplasty, with their own benefits and limitations. Titanium cranioplasty is one of the well-established and widely used techniques, with most centres utilising computer-assisted reconstruction for manufacture of titanium plates. In this paper we present a novel method for making titanium cranioplasty plates using the craniectomy bone flap as a template and the results of our experience. To date we have performed 51 cranioplasties using this method. The surgical results have been comparable to those obtained using the computer-assisted model technique. The construction cost for titanium cranioplasty plates using this method has been £360 cheaper per plate compared with the computer-assisted method. In addition, the CT workload and radiation exposure have been reduced.
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Bhargava, D., Bartlett, P., Russell, J. et al. Construction of titanium cranioplasty plate using craniectomy bone flap as template. Acta Neurochir 152, 173–176 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00701-009-0394-2
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00701-009-0394-2