IMPLANTS FOR CRANIOPLASTY

Cranioplasty is the surgical correction of skull defects. Over the cen turies, a variety of implant materials, from gold to animal bone, have been used to fill calvarial defects. These implants have had varying success in protecting the brain and providing acceptable cosmesis. Wit h an expansion in skull base and craniofacial surgery in otolaryngolog y, knowledge and mastery of these procedures have become increasingly important to the head and neck surgeon. This article provides an overv iew of cranioplasty and examines recent advances in implant material a nd cranioplasty methods.