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The split calvarial graft donor site in the elderly: a study in cadavers
1Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, Mich.
Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
|July 1, 1989
Summary
This study examined calvarium thickness in older adults, finding parietal bone thins with age but occipital bone does not. Split calvarial grafts are viable, but bone brittleness requires consideration.
Area of Science:
- Anatomy
- Gerontology
- Orthopedic Surgery
Background:
- The calvarium, or skullcap, is composed of distinct layers: outer table, diploe, and inner table.
- Understanding age-related changes in calvarial bone structure is crucial for surgical planning, particularly for procedures involving bone grafts.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the anatomical and age-related structural characteristics of the human calvarium.
- To evaluate the suitability of split calvarial grafts in elderly populations.
Main Methods:
- The study analyzed 37 human cadavers with an average age of 75.5 years.
- Calvarial thickness, including the parietal and occipital bones, was measured and correlated with age.
Main Results:
- The diploe, outer table, and inner table were consistently identified as distinct layers in all specimens.
- Parietal bone thickness demonstrated a decrease with advancing age.
- No significant correlation was found between age and the thickness of the outer table or diploe.
- The occipital bone showed no significant age-related changes in thickness.
Conclusions:
- Split calvarial grafts can be utilized in older patients without requiring a craniotomy.
- The increased brittleness of calvarial bone in the elderly population necessitates careful consideration during surgical procedures.