Abstract:

BACKGROUND: Clinically, there are a wide variety of materials for skull cranioplasty, and can be divided into autogenous bone and artificial materials, which include polymer materials (silica gel plate) and titanium mesh. So, what kind of material exhibits the most clinical value?
OBJECTIVE: To explore the application value of various skull cranioplasty materials.
METHODS: A retrospective analysis of clinical data in 78 patients who underwent cranioplasty due to skull defects were performed from February 2000 to June 2010, including 19 cases of skull repair using silica gel plate, 26 cases using two-dimensional titanium mesh, and 33 cases using digital three-dimensional titanium mesh. The patients were analyzed and compared in the operation time, cost, cosmetic and psychological rehabilitation.
RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: The operative time in digital three-dimensional titanium mesh group was significantly shorter than in the silica gel plate group and two-dimensional titanium mesh group, anatomical appearance was full restored, but the digital three-dimensional titanium mesh group had significantly higher cost than silica gel plate group and two-dimensional titanium mesh group. In addition, digital three-dimensional titanium mesh was less hardened, anti-collision ability was lower than that in two-dimensional titanium mesh. The results suggest that, digital two-dimensional titanium mesh can avoid operative plastotype, shorten the operation time, fully restore anatomical appearance, has a low cost, great hardness and strong anti-collision capability.