Complications of cranioplasty after decompressive craniectomy

  • Maša Glišović Faculty of Medicine, University of Ljubljana, Vrazov trg 2, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
  • Boštjan Matos Department of Neurosurgery, University Medical Centre Ljubljana, Zaloška 7, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
Keywords: skull reconstruction, craniotomy, intracranial hypertension, postoperative complications, pathophysiology

Abstract

Cranioplasty is a surgical repair of a defect or deformity of a skull with the use of autologous bone or synthetic materials.[4] It usually follows decompressive craniectomy, which is a commonly practiced neurosurgical intervention in patients with raised intracranial pressure unresponsive to other forms of treatment.[1] There are many conditions that may lead to intracranial hypertension, and the goal is to avoid brain necrosis caused by compartment pressure syndrome.[2] Consequently, the extensive use of decompressive craniectomy directly results in more cranioplasties, which sometimes present with unwanted complications.[5] Generally, the occurence of cranioplasty complications is between 16% and 34%.[3] Because of the many indications for craniectomy based on clinical data that speak in its favour, if will probably remain a relatively common neurosurgical intervention also in the future. The frequency of decompressive craniectomy and consequently of cranioplasty requires awareness of the many potential postoperative complications and understanding of its evolution. This article is a review of pathophysiological mechanisms after decompressive craniectomy and cranioplasty, of its complications and factors that potentially contribute to their occurence.

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Author Biographies

Maša Glišović, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ljubljana, Vrazov trg 2, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
Maša Glišović, medical student, Faculty of medicine, University of Ljubljana, Vrazov trg 2, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
Boštjan Matos, Department of Neurosurgery, University Medical Centre Ljubljana, Zaloška 7, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
asist. mag. Boštjan Matos, dr. med., Department of Neurosurgery, University Medical Centre Ljubljana, Zaloška 7, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia

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Published
2015-04-07
How to Cite
1.
Glišović M, Matos B. Complications of cranioplasty after decompressive craniectomy. TEST ZdravVestn [Internet]. 7Apr.2015 [cited 2May2024];84(2). Available from: http://vestnik-dev.szd.si/index.php/ZdravVest/article/view/1011
Section
Review