Cranioplasty in Brain Tumor Surgery : A Single-Center Retrospective Study Investigating Cranioplasty Failure and Tumor Recurrence

• OBJECTIVE: Cranioplasty with synthetic implant can be performed to restore function and form of the skull after resection of malignancy infiltrating the bone. The aim of this study was to examine the rate of implant failure and tumor recurrence in patients undergoing nonautologous cranioplasty and tumor resection.METHODS: In this retrospective single-center study, 48 patients were identified who had undergone cranioplasty with synthetic implants after tumor resection between 2010 and 2020. The medical records were analyzed to investigate patient demographics, surgery data, cranioplasty failure rates, and rate of tumor recurrence.RESULTS: Cranioplasty failed in 8 patients. The median time to implant failure was 220 days with most failures occurring within 1 year (5 of 8). There was no significant difference in rate or time to failure between the different cranioplasty materials (P = 0.39). Low body mass index (P < 0.05), previous craniectomy/cranioplasty (P < 0.05), previous radiation therapy to the brain/skull (P < 0.05), and skin closure with sutures (P < 0.05) were associated with an increased risk of implant failure. Tumors recurred in 15 patients.CONCLUSIONS: Cranioplasty surgery with synthetic implants carries a relatively high risk of failure, regardless of type of cranioplasty material used. Skin closure with staples may be beneficial in these patients.

Subject headings

MEDICIN OCH HÄLSOVETENSKAP  -- Klinisk medicin -- Kirurgi (hsv//swe)

MEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES  -- Clinical Medicine -- Surgery (hsv//eng)

MEDICIN OCH HÄLSOVETENSKAP  -- Medicinsk bioteknologi -- Biomaterialvetenskap (hsv//swe)

MEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES  -- Medical Biotechnology -- Biomaterials Science (hsv//eng)

Keyword

CNS tumors

Cranioplasty

Cranioplasty failure

Postoperative complications

Synthetic implant

Publication and Content Type

ref (subject category)

art (subject category)