RECONSTRUCTION OF SUBOCCIPITAL CRANIECTOMY DEFECTS WITH HYDROXYAPATITE CEMENT - A PRELIMINARY-REPORT

Hydroxyapatite cement, a new biomaterial presently under clinical inve stigation, has been demonstrated to have potentially wide application in cranial reconstruction. We describe our experience with this biolog ic bone cement in the reconstruction of suboccipital craniectomy defec ts in seven patients after vestibular schwannoma removal. With up to 2 -year follow-up, cranial bone integrity has been reestablished in five patients. Dissolution of cement has occurred in dependent areas and a ppears to be technique related. Cranial bone contour appears dependent on the amount of cement used. The frequency of debilitating postopera tive headache was reduced in these patients when compared to patients who had no reconstruction of the craniectomy defect. Reconstruction of the bony defect after suboccipital craniectomy with hydroxypatite cem ent is not only useful to restore cranial contour, but also appears to reduce some of the functional deficits attributed to this surgical ap proach.