Assessment of Bioabsorbable Hydroxyapatite for Cranial Defect in Children

To evaluate the utility and efficacy of bioabsorbable hydroxyapatite and collagen complex (HA/Col) for cranioplasty repair of cranial bone defects in children.

Two patients (a 6-year-old male and 11-year-old female) with Treacher Collins syndrome received zygoma and orbital floor reconstruction using a full thickness of parietal bone. The bone grafts were taken from each patient's parietal cranium. The right parietal cranial defect was repaired with autologous bone dust, and the left side was repaired with HA/Col in each patient. Computed tomography scans were taken immediately after and at 12 months following surgery. The osteosynthesis areas and thicknesses were measured using computer-aided engineering.

Both patients experienced no complications, including infection. In the 6- and 11-year-old patients, the extent of osteosynthesis for HA/Col was 92.2% and 89.4%, respectively; and for the autologous bone dust was 78.5% and 53.2%, respectively. Because of the small sample size, a significant difference could not be calculated; however, the percentage of osteosynthesis for HA/Col was higher than for the autologous bone dust.

This study showed that HA/Col can be effectively used in cranial defects and can be considered an alternative graft material for cranial reconstruction.