Reconstruction of skull defects: currently available materials

• Published in: The Journal of craniofacial surgery Vol. 20; no. 5; pp. 1512 - 1518
• Main Authors: Goiato, Marcelo Coelho, Anchieta, Rodolfo Bruniera, Pita, Murillo Sucena, dos Santos, Daniela Micheline
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States 01-09-2009
• Subjects: Adult; Biocompatible Materials - chemistry; Biocompatible Materials - therapeutic use; Biomechanical Phenomena; Bone Matrix - transplantation; Bone Substitutes - chemistry; Bone Substitutes - therapeutic use; Bone Transplantation; Ceramics; Craniotomy; Dentistry; Durapatite - chemistry; Encephalocele - surgery; Glass - chemistry; Hematoma, Subdural - surgery; Humans; Male; Polyethylene - chemistry; Polymethyl Methacrylate - chemistry; Prosthesis Design; Reconstructive Surgical Procedures - instrumentation; Skull - surgery; Transplantation, Autologous; Transplantation, Homologous
• ISSN: 1049-2275; 1536-3732
• DOI: 10.1097/SCS.0b013e3181b09b9a

The restoration and recovery of a compromised skull continues to be a challenge to craniofacial surgeons and neurosurgeons. Different operative techniques and implant materials are being used to reconstruct the rigid framework of the skull. However, no currently available materials satisfy all of these criteria. According to this premise, the aim of this study was to report on the currently available materials for the reconstruction of the cranial vault and to describe their main characteristics, advantages, and disadvantages. Although the use of the materials discussed in this study is clearly positive for the reconstruction of skull defects and cranioplasties, there is a need for more complex studies and research into developing these materials to achieve all the ideal prerequisites stipulated by the scientific community and to evaluate their properties and aesthetic and functional results in the long term.