OBJECTIVE The predictors of cranioplasty infection after decompressive craniectomy have not yet been fully characterized. The objective of the current study was to compare the long-term incidences of surgical site infection according to the graft material and cranioplasty timing after craniectomy, and to determine the associated factors of cranioplasty infection. METHODS A retrospective cohor...

OBJECTIVE Decompressive craniectomy is an effective therapy to relieve high intracranial pressure after acute brain damage. However, the optimal timing for cranioplasty after decompression is still controversial. Many authors reported that early cranioplasty may contribute to improve the cerebral blood flow and brain metabolism. However, despite all the advantages, there always remains a concer...

BACKGROUND The optimal timing of cranioplasty after decompressive craniectomy for trauma is unknown. The aim of this study was to determine if early cranioplasty after decompressive craniectomy for trauma reduces complications. METHODS Consecutive cases of patients who underwent autologous cranioplasty after decompressive craniectomy for trauma at a single Level I Trauma Center were studied i...

Cranioplasty is an in evitable operation conducted after decompressive craniectomy (DC). The primary goals of cranioplasty after DC are to protect the brain, achieve a natural appearance and prevent sinking skin flap syndrome (or syndrome of the trephined). Furthermore, restoring patients' functional outcome and supplementing external defects helps patients improve their self-esteem. Although e...

OBJECTIVE The timing of cranioplasty and method of bone flap storage are known risk factors of non-union and resorption of bone flaps. In this animal experimental study, we evaluated the efficacy of cranioplasty using frozen autologous bone flap, and examined whether the timing of cranioplasty after craniectomy affects bone fusion and new bone formation. METHODS Total 8 rabbits (male, older t...

Cranioplasty is performed using autograft and allograft materials on patients to whom craniectomy was applied previously due to the facts that, this region is open to trauma and the scalp makes irritation and pressure onto the brain paranchyma causing brain atrophy and convulsions. Dramatical improvement of neurological deficits, control of convulsions and partial prevention of cerebral atrophy...

OBJECTIVE The risk factors for surgical site infections (SSIs) after cranioplasty following decompressive craniectomy remain unclear. The goal of this study was to analyze the risk factors related to developing SSIs after cranioplasty and to suggest valuable predictors. METHODS A retrospective review was conducted of patients who underwent cranioplasty following decompressive craniectomy at o...

BACKGROUND Cranioplasty after decompressive craniectomy (DC) is routinely performed for reconstructive purposes and has been recently linked to improved cerebral blood flow (CBF) and neurological function. OBJECTIVE To systematically review all available literature to evaluate the effect of cranioplasty on CBF and neurocognitive recovery. METHODS A PubMed, Google Scholar, and MEDLINE search...

Cranioplasty following decompressive craniectomy is reported to result in improved blood flow, cerebral metabolism, and concomitant neurological recovery. We used multimodal functional imaging technology to study a patient with marked neurological recovery after cranioplasty. Resting-state networks and auditory responses obtained with functional MRI and cerebral metabolism obtained with PET bef...

Cranioplasty can improve neurological status in patients with skull bone defects. The mechanism of postoperative improvement in neurologic status might be increased cerebral blood flow (CBF) velocity due to elimination of the effects of atmospheric pressure. Between May 2001 and June 2002, 13 patients (8 men and 5 women; average age, 46 years; range, 21-65 years) were studied. Postoperative cha...