Simultaneous Closure of Bilateral Cranial Defects Using Custom-Made 3D Titanium Implants: A Single Institution Series

To investigate the outcomes of the simultaneous closure of bilateral cranial defects using custom-made three-dimensional (3D) titanium implants.

Demographic data of 26 patients with bilateral cranial defects who underwent cranioplasty using the 3D custom-made titanium implants in our clinic between 2017 and 2022 were retrospectively reviewed. Data on the area of cranium defect, the time interval between last cranial surgery and cranioplasty, postoperative complications, etiology of the cranium defect, and hospitalization of the patient were statistically evaluated.

The incidence of bilateral cranioplasty was 19.11%. The gender distribution of patients was 4 (15.4%) female and 22 (84.6%) male, with a mean age of 29.08 ± 14.65 years. The mean defect area was 35.0 ± 19.03 and 29.24 ± 22.51 cm2 on the right and left sides, respectively. The etiology of the cranium defect was gunshot wounds in 12 patients, and 14 patients had a history of trauma-related injuries such as falls and vehicle accidents. Eight patients had a history of failed cranioplasty with autologous bone. Postoperative complications were wound dehiscence in two patients and diffuse cerebral edema in one patient. No mortality was recorded.

The custom-made cranioplasty is feasible for simultaneous closure of bilateral cranial defects. Many complications can be prevented by careful preoperative evaluation before surgery and an appropriate implant selection for the patient.