Titanium mesh implants exposure after cranioplasty in two children: involvement of osteogenesis?

Background: Although technically regarded as a simple procedure, titanium mesh cranioplasty could lead to various surgical complications, including postoperative implant exposure. However, there is little data available on the occurrence and risk factors of this complication in the pediatric population. Cases presentation: Two pediatric male patients, one 12-year-old and one 7-year-old, had decompressive craniectomy after traumatic brain injuries and subsequent cranioplasty with titanium mesh. However, both patients had skin defects developed gradually at the scalp adjacent to the surgical incisions, 11 and 7 months after cranioplasty, respectively. Implants removal surgeries were then delivered and, during the operation, some bone debris were found just beneath the skin defects in both patients. Because microbiological culture results of the exudations were negative, in addition to the long interval between cranioplasty and developments of skin defects, surgical infections might not be major causes of the observed titanium implants exposures. On the other hand, local osteogenesis and impaired scalp blood supply might contribute to their occurrence. Conclusions: Efforts should be made to achieve complete clearance of bone debris and protect scalp blood supply during the initial decompressive craniectomy in order to minimize the risks of subsequent titanium mesh exposures.