The skull is made up of twenty-one bones which are closely fitted together. In the upper part of the skull-cap, we can see the diploe sandwiched in the compact outer and inner tables. Cranial defects results from avulsing trauma and surgery,
tumor,
or
other infection. Infants humans spontaneously regenerate large cranial defects, the rate and completion decreasing with advancing age, Indication for cranial restoration may be cosmetic, protective, or for relief of lain. So, cranial defects
requires
replacement of a fresh skull, or in the presence of cerebral swelling and infection, delayed reconstruction using the various materials. The two most widely used material for reconstruction of the cranial defects are alloplastic materials and
autogenous
bone grafts. The main disadvantage of the alloplastic material is possible foreign body reaction and potential for infection. In addition, autogenous bone grafts result in secondary donor-site morbidity. As an alternative, clinicians frequently
has
used
frozen skull for delayed implantation.
We have had successful results in 6 patients who undewent autogenous cranioplasty with frozen skull stored for 1 month to 1 year. Follow-up has been from 2 to 11 months and cases of infection or resorption have not occured.
This report in to discuss the procedures for, and the results of, using frozen autogenous bone as a bone substitute for reconstruction of cranial defects(craniotomy).
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