Fabrication of an alloplastic implant for the cranial defect

Revolutionizing Neurosurgery: The Cutting-Edge Era of Digitally Fabricated Cranial Stents

Cranial defects are broadly classified as either congenital or acquired. The prevalence of cranial injuries has notably increased, propelled by a heightened emphasis on aesthetics and the demand for skull reconstruction in contemporary society. Consequently, rehabilitation for these defects has also surged. Surgical correction or repair, known as cranioplasty, not only aims at aesthetic rehabilitation but also addresses psychological issues, improving social acceptance and overall performance. Amid evolving trends, the availability of advanced biomedical tools, technologies, and materials empowers surgeons and prosthodontists, leading to improved outcomes in aesthetics and functionality. One noteworthy technique highlighted in this case report involves using bone cement in conjunction with polymethyl methacrylate, adding novelty to the approach. The interdisciplinary management team, consisting of prosthodontists and neurosurgeons, played a pivotal role in improving neurological status and cosmetic outcomes for the patients.

Multidimensional evaluation of prosthetically rehabilitated\cranial defects using key behavior change inventory

Defects of the cranial vault can result from the decompressive craniectomy secondary to trauma, cerebral infections, resection of intracranial processes, or bone invading skin tumors. Reconstruction of the cranial vault not only provides protection and esthetic reasons but also maintains and restores physiological circulatory system of the cerebrum essential for the regulation of intracranial pressure. This paper presents prosthetic rehabilitation of two patients, who suffered head injury resulting in extensive frontoparieto temporal defects that induced symptoms such as headache, fatigue, loss of concentration, loss of memory, and depression. Along with the physical dysfunction and disfigurement, the injury resulted in a deep psychological impact on overall well-being and self-esteem of the patient as well as the close family members. The patients were prosthetically rehabilitated with custom-made heat polymerized polymethyl methacrylate cranial prosthesis and the assessment of postrehabilitation outcome was done using a specific measurement tool; key behaviors change inventory (KBCI) a 64-item questionnaire that evaluates executive, interpersonal, and emotional functioning behaviors following traumatic brain injury. Rehabilitation resulted in the restoration of form, function, and esthetics along with the improvement in psychological status and general health as reflected in KBCI scores posttreatment. Based on the posttreatment scores obtained in the cases under study, it is suggested that KBCI may serve as an important prognostic tool for the assessment of treatment outcomes.

Preformed acrylic cranial implants using fused deposition modeling: A clinical report

Fabrication of acrylic cranial implants by conventional methods of moulage and mold formation may be difficult when the margin of the defect cannot be accurately detected. Three-dimensional anatomic models built by fused deposition modeling can serve as templates for the fabrication of custom acrylic implants for large or complicated cranial defects. Virtual mirror imaging of the contralateral nondefect side can facilitate the restoration of symmetry in appearance-sensitive areas. This clinical report presents a method for the fabrication of cranial implants for 2 patients using anatomic modeling technology.

Fabrication procedure for cranial prostheses

A procedure for duplication of cranial bone flaps used in cranioplasty is described. This procedure overcomes the difficulties inherent in direct duplication of irregular-shaped bone flaps through primary replication of the flap in wax. The wax pattern is used to fabricate the definitive prosthesis.

Alloplastic cranial implants made from computed tomographic scan-generated casts

The complexity of cranioplasty increases with increased defect size. It is difficult to produce a symmetric, accurate implant presurgically or at the time of surgery when the defect is greater than 50 cm2. The procedure is also more difficult to perform when the defect is located in the temporal, infratemporal, or frontal areas. A new procedure generates a three-dimensional cast of the skull through computed tomography and computer-aided design reformation. This article describes the process of model generation and the production of a preprocessed cranial implant. To date, six cranial implants have been made with this technique. The whole head models are accurate and help the neurosurgeon-prosthodontist team in the creation of a symmetric, anatomically correct restoration. It is the technique of choice for large implants or where the cranial bones are thin. It is not necessary to augment or alter the implant during surgery. The technique reduces surgical time, and postsurgical complications have been minimal.