• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• 제44권4호
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• pp.211-216
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• 2008

Objective : The cranioplasty and ventriculoperitoneal (VP) shunt operation have been used to treat a large cranial defect with posttraumatic hydrocephalus (PTH). The aim of this study was to evlauate the difference of outcomes between in the shunting after the cranioplasty (group 1) and the cranioplasty after the shunting (group 2) in a large flaccid cranial defect with PTH. Methods : In this study, a retrospective review was done on 23 patients undergoing the cranioplasty and VP shunt operation after the decompressive craniectomy for a refractory intracranial hypertension from 2002 to 2005. All of 23 cases had a large flaccid concave cranial defect and PTH. Ten cases belong to group 1 and 13 cases to group 2. The outcomes after operations were compared in two groups 6 months later. Results : The improvement of Glasgow outcome scale (GOS) was seen in 8 cases (80.0%) of total 10 cases in group 1, and 6 cases (46.2%) of 13 cases in group 2. Three (75.0%) of 4 cases with hemiparesis in group 1 and 3 of 6 cases (50.0%) in group 2 were improved. All cases (2 cases) with decrease of visual acuity were improved in each group. Dysphasia was improved in 3 of 5 cases (60%) in group 1 and 4 of 6 cases (66.6%) in group 2. Conclusion : These results suggest that outcomes in group 1 may be better than in group 2 for a large flaccid concave cranial defect with PTH.

• 대한두개안면성형외과학회지
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• 제9권2호
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• pp.81-84
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• 2008

Purpose: The goals of cranioplasty are to protect the brain from trauma and restore normal cranial contour with as few complication as possible. In patient who suffered from cranial defect, the most satisfactory form of cranioplasty may be archived with autogenous bone grafts. We report on the treatment of large frontal bone defect using pericranial flap and split-rib graft. Methods: A 29-year-old male was referred to our department. He was involved in an automobile accident resulting in large frontal bone and sinus defect and skull basal defect. The reconstruction was undertaken using galeal frontalis myofascial flap and split-rib cranioplasty using bicoronal incision. Results: The postoperative course was successful. For 9 months follow up period, there was no complication about hematoma, infection, CSF leakage and washboard deformity. He was pleased with the results even when absolute symmetry was not achieved. Conclusion: We experienced large frontal bone and sinus defect and skull basal defect patient and successfully treated with split-rib graft and galeal frontalis myofascial flap.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• 제38권2호
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• pp.96-101
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• 2005

Objective : This paper describes our experience and implant technique for cranioplasty of a large cranial defects using a porous polyethylene implant[Medpor] and compares the results with polymethylmethacrylate[PMMA]. Methods : Sixteen cranioplasties were performed using Medpor[n= 10] and PMMA[n=6] implants between June 2003 and January 2005. The criterion for patient enrollment was a defect larger than 10cm in diameter. This study compared the operation times and complications. Results : The operation times ranged from 105 to 250minutes[Mean $180^{\circ}{\pm}44minutes$) in Medpor and from 185 to 460minutes [mean 128minutes] in PMMA. The absolute operation times were shorter using the Medpor implant and the differences were statistically significant[P=0.030]. Satisfactory cosmetic results were obtained in all cases using the Medpor implant and with no implant-related complications. Bone ingrowth to the medpor implant was presumed to be the result on an increase in Houndsfield units of the implant, particularly at the marginal areas in the serial follow-up brain computed tomography images. Conclusion : It is believed that the properties of a Medpor implant make this implant an good alternative to the existing methods of a cranial contour correction. However, a further follow-up study will be needed.

• 대한두개안면성형외과학회지
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• 제18권3호
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• pp.186-190
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• 2017

We report a case of free flap deterioration which may have been induced by pressure gradient resulting from cranial defect overlying a ventriculoperitoneal shunt (VP shunt). The patient, male and aged 78, had a VP shunt operation for progressive hydrocephalus. Afterwards, the scalp skin flap surrounding the VP shunt collapsed and showed signs of necrosis, exposing part of the shunt catheter. After covering the defect with a radial forearm free flap, the free flap site showed signs of gradual sinking while the vascularity of the flap remained unimpaired. An agreement was reached to remove the shunt device and observe the patient for any neurological symptoms, and after the shunt was removed and the previous cranial opening filled with fibrin glue by Neurosurgery, we debrided the deteriorated flap and provided coverage with 2 large opposing rotational flaps. During 2 months' outpatient follow-up no neurological symptoms appeared, and the new scalp flap displayed slight depression but remained intact. The patient has declined from any further follow-up since.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• 제52권6호
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• pp.541-546
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• 2012

Objective : The prefabrication of customized cranioplastic implants has been introduced to overcome the difficulties of intra-operative implant molding. The authors present a new technique, which consists of the prefabrication of implant molds using three-dimensional (3D) printers and polymethyl-methacrylate (PMMA) casting. Methods : A total of 16 patients with large skull defects (>100 $cm^2$) underwent cranioplasty between November 2009 and April 2011. For unilateral cranial defects, 3D images of the skull were obtained from preoperative axial 1-mm spiral computed tomography (CT) scans. The image of the implant was generated by a digital subtraction mirror-imaging process using the normal side of the cranium as a model. For bilateral cranial defects, precraniectomy routine spiral CT scan data were merged with postcraniectomy 3D CT images following a smoothing process. Prefabrication of the mold was performed by the 3D printer. Intraoperatively, the PMMA implant was created with the prefabricated mold, and fit into the cranial defect. Results : The median operation time was $184.36{\pm}26.07$ minutes. Postoperative CT scans showed excellent restoration of the symmetrical contours and curvature of the cranium in all cases. The median follow-up period was 23 months (range, 14-28 months). Postoperative infection was developed in one case (6.2%) who had an open wound defect previously. Conclusion : Customized cranioplasty PMMA implants using 3D printer may be a useful technique for the reconstruction of various cranial defects.

• 대한두개안면성형외과학회지
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• 제21권5호
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• pp.309-314
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• 2020

Reconstructions of extensive composite scalp and cranial defects are challenging due to high incidence of postoperative infection and reconstruction failure. In such cases, cranial reconstruction and vascularized soft tissue coverage are required. However, optimal reconstruction timing and material for cranioplasty are not yet determined. Herein, we present a large skull defect with a chronically infected wound that was not improved by repeated debridement and antibiotic treatment for 3 months. It was successfully treated with anterolateral thigh (ALT) free flap transfer for wound salvage and delayed cranioplasty with a patient-specific polyetheretherketone implant. To reduce infection risk, we performed the cranioplasty 1 year after the infection had resolved. In the meantime, depression of ALT flap at the skull defect site was observed, and the midline shift to the contralateral side was reported in a brain computed tomography (CT) scan, but no evidence of neurologic deterioration was found. After the surgery, sufficient cerebral expansion without noticeable dead-space was confirmed in a follow-up CT scan, and there was no complication over the 1-year follow-up period.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• 제42권2호
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• pp.89-91
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• 2007

Objective : Cranioplasty is necessary to repair the cranial defect, produced either by decompressive craniectomy or removal of the contaminated depressed skull fracture. Complications are relatively common after cranioplasty, being reported up to 23.6%. We examined the incidence and risk factors of infectious complications after cranioplasty during last 6 year period. Methods : From January 2000 to December 2005, 107 cranioplasties were performed in our institution. The infectious complications occurred in 17 cases that required the removal of the bone flap. We examined the age of the patients, causes of the skull defect, timing of the cranioplasty the size of the defect, and kinds of the cranioplasty material. The size of the skull defect was calculated by a formula, $3.14{\times}long\;axis\;{\times}short$ axis. The cranioplasty material was autogenous bone kept in a freezer in 74 patients, and polymethylmetacrylate in 33 patients. Statistical significance was tested using the chi-square test. Results : The infection occurred in 17 patients in 107 cranioplasties (15.9%). It occurred in 2 of 29 cases of less than $75\;cm^2$ defect (6.9%), and 6 in 54 cases of $75{\sim}125\;cm^2$ defect (11.1%). Also, it occurred in 9 of 24 cases of more than $125\;cm^2$ defect (37.5%). This difference was statistically significant (p <0.01). Conclusion : During the cranioplasty, special attention is required when the skull defect is large since the infection tends to occurr more commonly.

• 한국임상수의학회지
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• 제16권2호
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• pp.478-481
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• 1999

A 8 years old male Pomeranian weighing 4 kg was referred because of coughing of 4 months' duration. Heart sounds and cardiac apex beat were showed more intense on the right side. On radiographic views, loss of normal line of the diaphragm, gas-containing intestines and stomach in thoracic cavity, and right displacement of heart were observed. Ultrasonography revealed that liver located adjacent to the heart. Although the dog died due to severe respiratory disorder in surgical procedure, in thoracic and abdominal surgery, a large defect was found in the left and right ventral muscular portion and left central tendon of the diaphragm, extending from the esophageal hiatus to rib. Left and right cranial lobe of liver, small intestines, stomach and spleen were herniated in the thoracic cavity. Because of the size and chronicity of the defect in the diaphragm, closure was impossible with an abdominal muscle graft.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• 제49권6호
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• pp.740-744
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• 2022

Titanium mesh is an alloplastic material widely used for the reconstruction of moderate-to-large skull defects. Repeated wound problems or infection following these reconstructions inevitably lead to the replacement of the cranioplasty material. Among the various alloplastic materials, polycaprolactone implants are usually used for the coverage of small defects such as burr holes. Herein, we present a case of a large cranial defect successfully reconstructed with three-dimensional-printed polycaprolactone implant and a free latissimus dorsi musculocutaneous flap. Until 1-year followup, the patient showed a favorable esthetic outcome with no complications or wound relapse.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• 제41권6호
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• pp.403-407
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• 2007

The authors encountered a case of simultaneous radiation-induced multiple meningiomas and ventriculoperitoneal [VP] shunt-related pneumocephalus. A 35-year-old man, who had undergone surgery for medulloblastoma 21 years previously and subsequently received high dose craniospinal irradiation with adjuvant chemotherapy and later underwent a VP shunt because of hydrocephalus, presented with a severe headache and weakness of both lower extremities. Computed tomography showed an air pocket lesion in the left temporal lobe and a large amount of pneumocephalus with a bony defect of the left tegmen tympani. In addition, a 3 cm sized well enhancing mass was noted in the in the right middle cranial fossa and additional small enhancing nodule in the left frontal pole. He was treated by left temporal craniotomy and repair of the bony and dural defects of the left tegmentum tympanum through extradural and intradural approaches, respectively. Afterwards, he underwent right temporal craniotomy and gross total removal of a rapidly growing right middle fossa mass and a left frontal mass. The histological examination was consistent with atypical meningioma, WHO grade II. In conclusion, physicians have to consider the serious long term complications of high dose radiation therapy and VP shunt placement and need to perform the neuroradiologic follow-up after such treatments for several decades.