Computer-generated titanium cranioplasty: report of a new technique for repairing skull defects

A review of 40 cases of titanium cranioplasty fabricated from impressions taken of the defect through the patient's scalp in the conventional way showed that 23% were ill-fitting and 41% of frontal plates had a poor aesthetic result. Attributable factors were difficulty in defining the defect border accurately and limited information of the surrounding tissue architecture which led to strains produced during insertion. Inadequate communication between surgeon and prosthetist compounded these difficulties. A prospective study of six cases fabricated from CT computer-generated models of challenging cranial defects appears to show significant improvements in plate design, resulting in better plate adaptation, stability and aesthetic contour. Plate insertion was rapid (mean time 27 min) thereby minimizing operating time. This paper also discusses the advantages of the enhanced information derived from CT and describes the potential for pre-craniotomy template and matching cranioplasty, thereby permitting a one-stage procedure.