Journal of neurological surgery. Part A, Central European neurosurgery
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J Neurol Surg A Cent Eur Neurosurg · May 2020
Comparative StudyA Comparison between Pediatric and Adult Patients after Cranioplasty: Aseptic Bone Resorption Causes Earlier Revision in Children.
Cranioplasty, a common neurosurgical intervention following decompressive craniectomy (DC), is associated with high complication rates. Bone flap resorption in particular leads to a considerable number of patients requiring further surgery. The aim of this study was to investigate the frequency and time of occurrence of complications following cranioplastic procedures in children and adults. ⋯ Pediatric patients demand specific care when cranioplasty is performed following DC. We identified age as an independent risk factor. The higher number of fragments appears to be a correlation due to the higher number of TBIs in children. Our data indicate that young age is the most important risk factor for the development of ABR as a frequent and early complication with a shorter revision-free time interval in children. Consequently, the uncritical use of cryopreserved autologous bone flaps should be questioned in this population.