Single-Piece Titanium Plate Cranioplasty Reconstruction of Complex Defects

Area of Science:

• Neurosurgery
• Plastic Surgery
• Biomedical Engineering

Background:

• Cranial and orbital defect reconstruction presents design challenges due to complex anatomical contours.
• Existing methods for cranio-orbital reconstruction are varied, with specific difficulties in addressing combined skull and orbital roof defects.
• This paper details a novel approach for combined cranio-orbital reconstruction using a single-piece titanium plate.

Observation:

• A patient with a large frontal en-plaque meningioma required extensive resection involving the skull and orbital roof.
• Surgical planning utilized a 3D-printed model for precise margin marking and virtual reconstruction.
• A custom titanium plate was fabricated using hydrostatic pressing and hand-finishing for the orbital roof component.

Findings:

• Hemicraniectomy and tumor resection were performed using a 3D-printed cutting guide.
• Reconstruction of the complex surgical defect was achieved with the custom-fabricated single-piece titanium plate.
• The patient experienced a successful functional and cosmetic recovery post-reconstruction.

Implications:

• Single-piece titanium plate cranioplasty represents an effective and innovative solution for complex cranio-orbital defects.
• This technique simplifies the reconstruction process for challenging combined skull and orbital roof defects.
• The described method holds potential for improving patient outcomes in craniofacial reconstructive surgery.