Cranioplasty complications and risk factors associated with bone flap resorption

Abstract

Cranioplasty after decompressive craniectomy carries a high rate of complications. In this study, SSI and BFR were the two most common complications of which predictive clinical parameters could be identified for BFR only. The results indicate that synthetic implants may be considered in pediatric patients and in cases with fragmented bone flaps or delayed time to cranioplasty. Although the rate of complications was high, 73 % had a successful reinsertion of the autologous graft at a low cost. We feel this result justifies the continued use of cryopreserved bone flaps.