[NiTi shape-memory alloy cramp used in repair of skull defect]

Fixation of silicon-polyester fiber network on skull defect was usually difficult to handle and the fixation was unstable. In order to solve these problems, NiTi shape-memory alloy cramp was adopted and 101 patients with skull defects were selected for this clinical trial. Among them, there were 79 males and 22 females, and the age ranged from 12-55 years old. The area of skull defect ranged from 3 cm x 4 cm to 10 cm x 16 cm. All of these patients received repairing of the skull defects by silicon-polyester fiber network which was fixed by NiTi memory alloy cramps. After operation, there was no complication. One hundred patients were followed up for 1-8 years, in which 97 cases returned to their normal work, and only 2 cases had a transient dysfunction of frontal muscle for 2 months. In addition, There were no loosening of the cramps, displacement of plastic network and malignant degeneration. The NiTi shape-memory alloy cramps had the following advantages: 1. Simple operative procedure; 2. Rigid fixation; 3. Mild postoperative tissue reaction; 4. Few postoperative complication; 5. Favorable effect of skull repair; 6. No interference with CT and MRI image; 7. No carcinogenicity.