Abstract:

BACKGROUND: A wide range of materials with varying repair effects are applicated in skull repair. How to perfecting the skull defect repair and how to choose the right repair materials are the research hotspots for researchers in the world.
OBJECTIVE: To explore the clinical application of digital three-dimensional shaping titanium armor plate in skull defect repair.
METHODS: An online search of Medline database (2000/2011-06) and CNKI was performed for relevant articles, using keywords of “tissue engineering, craniocerebral trauma, CAD/CAM, titanium armor plate” in English and Chinese, respectively. Articles with high pertinence published in recent years were included in the study. As to the identical field, the articles published recently or in authoritative magazines were selected. Outdated documents and articles repetitive to conventional materials and methods for skull defect repair were excluded. Articles involved the latest research progress and clinical application with practice value were thoroughly analyzed and summarized.
RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: A total of 236 articles were collected in the initial search, and 27 of them were retained. Conventional repair methods for skull defect exposed many problems, while titanium armor plate, as skull repair materials widely used in clinic recently, has many advantages. Especially with the wide application of digital technology, repair material which is well match with the defect can be manufactured based on head CT scan, simulation of defect skull shape and curvature by three-dimensional reconstruction, individual design of titanium patch for defect skull. Patients’ head shape reinstate anatomically after skull defect repair. Satisfactory effects are received in appearance and compatibility.