Titanium cranioplasty in children and adolescents

Full thickness calvarial defects present considerable challenges to reconstructive surgeons. In paediatric cases, the use of biomaterials as a substrate for cranioplasty rather than autologous bone is controversial. Alloplastic cranioplasty in adults is supported by several large case series however long term outcome of biomaterial use in paediatric cases is limited. Retrospective seven year analysis of departmental database and clinical records identified 22 patients aged under 18 who had undergone 23 custom made titanium cranioplasties by a single surgeon using the same technique. Data including patient demographics, reason for craniectomy and complications experienced following surgery was obtained. The mean age at operation was 12 years 9 months. The mean defect size was 44.3 cm(2). No significant complications related to the cranioplasty were recorded in the early post operative period or during long term review (average follow up 4 years 6 months). No cranioplasty implant required removal. This retrospective case series shows that custom made patient specific titanium cranioplasty is a viable alternative to autologous bone as a reconstructive material in paediatric patients under specific circumstances.