• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.52 no.4
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• pp.396-403
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• 2012

Objective : The predictors of cranioplasty infection after decompressive craniectomy have not yet been fully characterized. The objective of the current study was to compare the long-term incidences of surgical site infection according to the graft material and cranioplasty timing after craniectomy, and to determine the associated factors of cranioplasty infection. Methods : A retrospective cohort study was conducted to assess graft infection in patients who underwent cranioplasty after decompressive craniectomy between 2001 and 2011 at a single-center. From a total of 197 eligible patients, 131 patients undergoing 134 cranioplasties were assessed for event-free survival according to graft material and cranioplasty timing after craniectomy. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis and Cox regression methods were employed, with cranioplasty infection identified as the primary outcome. Secondary outcomes were also evaluated, including autogenous bone resorption, epidural hematoma, subdural hematoma and brain contusion. Results : The median follow-up duration was 454 days (range 10 to 3900 days), during which 14 (10.7%) patients suffered cranioplasty infection. There was no significant difference between the two groups for event-free survival rate for cranioplasty infection with either a cryopreserved or artificial bone graft (p=0.074). Intergroup differences according to cranioplasty time after craniectomy were also not observed (p=0.083). Poor neurologic outcome at cranioplasty significantly affected the development of cranioplasty infection (hazard ratio 5.203, 95% CI 1.075 to 25.193, p=0.04). Conclusion : Neurologic status may influence cranioplasty infection after decompressive craniectomy. A further prospective study about predictors of cranioplasty infection including graft material and cranioplasty timing is necessary.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.52 no.5
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• pp.498-500
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• 2012

Cranioplasty is performed using autograft and allograft materials on patients to whom craniectomy was applied previously due to the facts that, this region is open to trauma and the scalp makes irritation and pressure onto the brain paranchyma causing brain atrophy and convulsions. Dramatical improvement of neurological deficits, control of convulsions and partial prevention of cerebral atrophy are achieved after these operations. One of the most important complications of cranioplasty is late infection. Here, we report a 43-year-old male patient admitted with the history of purulant discharge from the right temporal incission site for one year to whom cranioplasty had been performed with allograft material 20 days after craniectomy which had been performed in 1989. Allograft cranioplasty material was removed and cranioplasty was performed using new allograft material with the diagnosis of late cranioplasty infection.

• Korean Journal of Neurotrauma
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• v.13 no.1
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• pp.9-14
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• 2017

Cranioplasty is an in evitable operation conducted after decompressive craniectomy (DC). The primary goals of cranioplasty after DC are to protect the brain, achieve a natural appearance and prevent sinking skin flap syndrome (or syndrome of the trephined). Furthermore, restoring patients' functional outcome and supplementing external defects helps patients improve their self-esteem. Although early cranioplasty is preferred in recent year, optimal timing for cranioplasty remains a controversial topic. Autologous bone flaps are the most ideal substitute for cranioplasty. Complications associated with cranioplasty are also variable, however, post-surgical infection is most common. Many new materials and techniques for cranioplasty are introduced. Cost-benefit analysis of these new materials and techniques can result in different outcomes from different healthcare systems.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.59 no.5
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• pp.492-497
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• 2016

Objective : Decompressive craniectomy is an effective therapy to relieve high intracranial pressure after acute brain damage. However, the optimal timing for cranioplasty after decompression is still controversial. Many authors reported that early cranioplasty may contribute to improve the cerebral blood flow and brain metabolism. However, despite all the advantages, there always remains a concern that early cranioplasty may increase the chance of infection. The purpose of this retrospective study is to investigate whether the early cranioplasty increase the infection rate. We also evaluated the risk factors of infection following cranioplasty. Methods : We retrospectively examined the results of 131 patients who underwent cranioplasty in our institution between January 2008 and June 2015. We divided them into early (${\leq}90days$) and late (>90 days after craniectomy) groups. We examined the risk factors of infection after cranioplasty. We analyzed the infection rate between two groups. Results : There were more male patients (62%) than female (38%). The mean age was 49 years. Infection occurred in 17 patients (13%) after cranioplasty. The infection rate of early cranioplasty was lower than that of late cranioplasty (7% vs. 20%; p=0.02). Early cranioplasty, non-metal allograft materials, re-operation before cranioplasty and younger age were the significant factors in the infection rate after cranioplasty (p<0.05). Especially allograft was a significant risk factor of infection (odds ratio, 12.4; 95% confidence interval, 3.24-47.33; p<0.01). Younger age was also a significant risk factor of infection after cranioplasty by multivariable analysis (odds ratio, 0.96; 95% confidence interval, 0.96-0.99; p=0.02). Conclusion : Early cranioplasty did not increase the infection rate in this study. The use of non-metal allograft materials influenced a more important role in infection in cranioplasty. Actually, timing itself was not a significant risk factor in multivariate analysis. So the early cranioplasty may bring better outcomes in cognitive functions or wound without raising the infection rate.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.40 no.3
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• pp.193-195
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• 2006

Hydrocephalus is usually defined as the condition of ventricular dilatation due to the overproduction of cerebrospinal fluid[CSF] or dysfunction of absorption. The pattern of the CSF circulation may change after a cranioplasty secondary to previous decompressive craniectomy for refractory intracranial hypertension after head injury. The effect of the cranioplasty on CSF hydrodynamics has not been explored exactly. We report two cases of acute hydrocephalus developed after cranioplasty and discuss about the clinical importance with review of literatures.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.40 no.6
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• pp.434-440
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• 2006

Objective : The purpose of this study is to examine the influence of cranioplasty on dynamics of cerebral blood flow[CBF] and cerebrovascular reserve capacity[CVRC], and to investigate the usefulness of single photon emission computed tomography [SPECT] as a prognostic factor for neurological improvement after cranioplasty. Methods : Between March 2003 and December 2005, a prospective study was performed on 24 patients who had undergone total 25 cranioplasty operations. Cerebral blood flow velocities in the middle cerebral artery[MCA] and internal carotid artery[ICA] were obtained by transcranial Doppler ultrasonography[TCD]. The CVRC was assessed by SPECT in the natural state and after stimulation with 1g of acetazolamide. Neurological improvement after cranioplasty was compared between patients who showed hyperactivity to acetazolamide-activated SPECT [Group 1, n=7] and hypoactivity to acetazolamide-activated SPECT [Group 2, n=17]. These measurements were obtained two weeks prior to and two weeks after cranioplasty. Results : The blood flow velocities at the opposite site to the cranioplasty as well as at the cranioplasty site were significantly increased [P<0.05]. Compared with Group 2, there was significant increase in CBF and neurological improvement after cranioplasty in Group 1. Conclusion : Among patients with surgical bony defects, the patients who had normal reactivity of the CVRC showed a significant increase in CBF and neurological improvement after cranioplasty. The authors suggest that CVRC measurement prior to surgery may be an important prognostic factor for neurological improvement after cranioplasty.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.46 no.4
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• pp.417-420
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• 2009

The purpose of this report is to describe our surgical experiences in the treatment of cerebral decompression with in situ floating resin cranioplasty. We included in this retrospective study 7 patients who underwent in situ floating resin cranioplasty for cerebral decompression between December 2006 and March 2008. Of these patients, 3 patients had traumatic brain injury, 3 cerebral infarction, and one subarachnoid hemorrhage due to aneurysmal rupture. In situ floating resin cranioplasty for cerebral decompression can reduce complications related to the absence of a bone flap and allow reconstruction by secondary cranioplasty without difficulty. Furthermore, it provides cerebral protection and selectively eliminates the need for secondary cranioplasty in elderly patients or patients who have experienced unfavorable outcome.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.57 no.4
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• pp.242-249
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• 2015

Objective : The timing of cranioplasty and method of bone flap storage are known risk factors of non-union and resorption of bone flaps. In this animal experimental study, we evaluated the efficacy of cranioplasty using frozen autologous bone flap, and examined whether the timing of cranioplasty after craniectomy affects bone fusion and new bone formation. Methods : Total 8 rabbits (male, older than 16 weeks) were divided into two groups of early cranioplasty group (EG, 4 rabbits) and delayed cranioplasty group (DG, 4 rabbits). The rabbits of each group were performed cranioplasty via frozen autologous bone flaps 4 weeks (EG) and 8 weeks (DG) after craniectomy. In order to obtain control data, the cranioplasty immediate after craniectomy were made on the contralateral cranial bone of the rabbits (control group, CG). The bone fusion and new bone formation were evaluated by micro-CT scan and histological examination 8 weeks after cranioplasty on both groups. Results : In the micro-CT scans, the mean values of the volume and the surface of new bone were $50.13{\pm}7.18mm^3$ and $706.23{\pm}77.26mm^2$ in EG, $53.78{\pm}10.86mm^3$ and $726.60{\pm}170.99mm^2$ in DG, and $31.51{\pm}12.84mm^3$ and $436.65{\pm}132.24mm^2$ in CG. In the statistical results, significant differences were shown between EG and CG and between DG and CG (volume : p=0.028 and surface : p=0.008). The histological results confirmed new bone formation in all rabbits. Conclusion : We observed new bone formation on all the frozen autologous bone flaps that was stored within 8 weeks. The timing of cranioplasty may showed no difference of degree of new bone formation. Not only the healing period after cranioplasty but the time interval from craniectomy to cranioplasty could affect the new bone formation.

• Journal of Trauma and Injury
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• v.35 no.4
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• pp.255-260
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• 2022

Purpose: To determine the incidence and risk factors of postoperative infection after cranioplasty in patients with traumatic brain injury (TBI). Methods: Data of 289 adult patients who underwent cranioplasty after TBI at a single regional trauma center between year 2018 and 2021 were reviewed retrospectively. Patient characteristics and various procedural variables, such as interval between craniectomy and cranioplasty, estimated blood loss, laterality and materials of the bone flap, and duration and classification of perioperative antibiotics usage were analyzed. Results: Postoperative infection occurred in 17 patients (5.9%). Onset time of infectious symptom ranged from 9 days to 174 days (median, 24 days) after cranioplasty. The most common cultured organism was Staphylococcus aureus (47.1%), followed by Klebsiella pneumoniae (17.6%) and Enterococcus faecalis (17.6%). Patients with postoperative infection were more likely to have diabetes (odds ratio [OR], 6.96; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.92-25.21; P=0.003), lower body mass index (OR, 0.81; 95% CI, 0.66-0.98; P=0.029), and shorter duration of perioperative antibiotics (OR, 0.83; 95% CI, 0.71-0.98; P=0.026). Conclusions: For TBI patients with diabetes, poor nutritional status should be managed cautiously for increased risk of infection after cranioplasty. Further studies and discussions are needed to determine an appropriate antibiotics protocol in cranioplasty.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.56 no.5
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• pp.410-418
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• 2014

Objective : The epidural fluid collection (EFC) as a complication of cranioplasty is not well-described in the literature. This study aimed to identify the predictive factors for the development of EFC as a complication of cranioplasty, and its outcomes. Methods : From January 2004 to December 2012, 117 cranioplasty were performed in our institution. One-hundred-and-six of these patients were classified as either having EFC, or not having EFC. The two groups were compared to identify risk factors for EFC. Statistical significance was tested using the t-test and chi-square test, and a logistic regression analysis. Results : Of the 117 patients undergoing cranioplasty, 59 (50.4%) suffered complications, and EFC occurred in 48 of the patients (41.0%). In the t-test and chi-test, risk factors for EFC were size of the skull defect (p=0.003) and postoperative air bubbles in the epidural space (p<0.001). In a logistic regression, the only statistically significant factor associated with development of EFC was the presence of postoperative air bubbles. The EFC disappeared or regressed over time in 30 of the 48 patients (62.5%), as shown by follow-up brain computed tomographic scan, but 17 patients (35.4%) required reoperation. Conclusion : EFC after cranioplasty is predicted by postoperative air bubbles in the epidural space. Most EFC can be treated conservatively. However, reoperation is necessary to resolve about a third of the cases. During cranioplasty, special attention is required when the skull defect is large, since EFC is then more likely.