J Korean Neurosurg Soc.  1977 Dec;6(2):483-490.

Cranioplasty Using Previously Craniectomized Bone Stored on the Abdomen

• Lee KY

Abstract

Brain edema often compelled us not to replace the skull bone flap in osteoplastic craniotomy. Under such circumstance we stored the bone in the abdominal subcutaneous region to use as cranioplasty material in future. Mostly six months later, we performed delayed autogenous cranioplasty using the previous craniectomized bone. Perfect fitness and gratifying results were obtained in 26 such cases. Recently, to get and store the future cranioplasty material, we performed surgery with osteoplastic craniotomy fashion even in good indication of craniectomy. In one case of 26 cranioplasty patients, removal of the bone was invetiable due to infection. There were several benefits in this method of cranioplasty. 1. Complete fitness of replaced bone. 2. The earlier and good fusion. 3. Simplicity of the operation procedure. 4. No need of donor bone. 5. No foreign body reaction. Disadvantages were some discomfort in the abdomen and bone absorption during storage took place if stored more than 8 months. Microscopic features of stored bone was discussed.

MeSH Terms

Abdomen*
Absorption
Brain Edema
Craniotomy
Foreign-Body Reaction
Humans
Skull
Tissue Donors