Optimal timing of autologous cranioplasty after decompressive craniectomy in children: Clinical article

Mark P. Piedra, Eric M. Thompson, Nathan R. Selden, Brian T. Ragel, Daniel J. Guillaume

    Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

    96 Scopus citations

    Abstract

    Object. The object of this study was to determine if early cranioplasty after decompressive craniectomy for elevated intracranial pressure in children reduces complications. Methods. Sixty-one consecutive cases involving pediatric patients who underwent autologous cranioplasty after decompressive craniectomy for raised intracranial pressure at a single academic children's hospital over 15 years were studied retrospectively. Results. Sixty-one patients were divided into early (< 6 weeks; 28 patients) and late (= 6 weeks; 33 patients) cranioplasty cohorts. The cohorts were similar except for slightly lower age in the early (8.03 years) than the late (10.8 years) cranioplasty cohort (p < 0.05). Bone resorption after cranioplasty was significantly more common in the late (42%) than the early (14%) cranioplasty cohort (p < 0.05; OR 5.4). No other complication differed in incidence between the cohorts. Conclusions. After decompressive craniectomy for raised intracranial pressure in children, early (< 6 weeks) cranioplasty reduces the occurrence of reoperation for bone resorption, without altering the incidence of other complications.

    Original languageEnglish (US)
    Pages (from-to)268-272
    Number of pages5
    JournalJournal of Neurosurgery: Pediatrics
    Volume10
    Issue number4
    DOIs
    StatePublished - Oct 2012

    Keywords

    • Children
    • Cranioplasty
    • Decompressive craniectomy
    • Intracranial pressure
    • Trauma

    ASJC Scopus subject areas

    • Surgery
    • Pediatrics, Perinatology, and Child Health
    • Clinical Neurology

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