New method of pediatric cranioplasty for skull defect utilizing polylactic acid absorbable plates and carbonated apatite bone cement

Cranial defect repair in the pediatric population requires a variety of special considerations. The pediatric skull has a dynamic nature that prohibits the use of rigid fixation, which is commonly applied in the adult population. A technique using a combination of polylactic acid plates and carbonated apatite bone cement has been devised by our group. Skull defects of varying sizes were repaired in 34 pediatric patients. Patients were examined on postoperative day 3 and at 3 months via three-dimensional computed tomography scans. Patients have been followed up to 60 months after surgery without complications or failures to date. This method benefits the pediatric patients undergoing cranioplasty by minimizing the insertion of long-term foreign bodies and allows the possibility for transformation of this construct into viable tissue.