[Computer assisted plastic closure of calvarial defects]

Large bony skull defects sometimes face problems of some pathophysiological effects, protection of the underlying brain, the impaired appearance, and from a psychological point of view. A computer-assisted method is presented, which has been successfully used in 44 patients. From 3-D-CT data a phantom was built in which Refobacin-Palacos was modeled for individual requirements. The plastic can be implanted after sterilization and leads to excellent cosmetical results. The use of a negative model reveals the possibility of an extended field of application without the necessity of highly specialized computersystems.