Abstract:
The main objective of this study was to evaluate the use
of patient-specific polyamide 12 implants in cranial bone defect
reconstruction.
Ten patients who underwent prior decompression craniectomy
were selected for the current study. Skull scanning by computerized
tomography was performed and used to make virtual planning of the
implants to be transformed into physical implant using selective
laser sintering. Cranioplasty was performed through coronal surgi-
cal approach where cranial implants were fixated using 2.0-mm
mini-screws, and plates. Patients follow-up was from 12 to
36 months. Glasgow Outcome Score recorded 1 (good recovery)
for all patients. Patient and surgeon satisfaction for the esthetic
outcome were measured using visual analog scale as mean of 10 0
and 9 1, respectively. Cranial symmetry index was calculated as
mean score of 98% 1%, indicating highly accurate symmetry, and
preoperative virtual planning and postoperative outcome were
compared for accuracy analysis with a mean difference of
0.3197 0.1649, which indicates high accuracy.
Polyamide12 cranial implants seem to offer a promising option
to cranial bone reconstruction with patient-specific implants. This
study ensures proper cosmetic and clinical outcome.
