Neuronavigation-assisted cranial reconstruction.
OBJECTIVE
Cranial defects resulting from congenital deformities, ablative resection of osseous tumors, traumatic injury, and destructive infectious lesions are often severe enough to warrant surgical reconstruction. In particular cases, satisfactory cosmetic results may be difficult to achieve because of the extent and location of the lesion.


METHODS
We evaluated the role of neuronavigation for reconstruction of large cranial defects with prefabricated titanium and intraoperatively constructed neuronavigation-assisted polymethylmethacrylate implants.


RESULTS
Neuronavigation-assisted cranial reconstruction was performed in 14 patients. Surgical procedure, illustrative cases, postoperative results, and apparent benefits of the technique are presented and discussed. In all patients, excellent cosmetic results were achieved.


CONCLUSIONS
In cranial reconstruction, neuronavigation is of value not only for intraoperative determination of resection margins but also for preoperative assessment and planning. The combination of navigation techniques with prefabricated or intraoperatively constructed implants enables achievement of excellent cosmetic results.
Vougioukas
Vassilios I
VI
Department of Neurosurgery, Albert-Ludwigs University of Freiburg, Freiburg im Breisgau, Germany. vvougio@nz.ukl.uni-freiburg.de
Hubbe
Ulrich
U
van Velthoven
Vera
V
Freiman
Thomas M
TM
Schramm
Alexander
A
Spetzger
Uwe
U
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D018786:Bone Substitutes / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003399:Craniotomy / Q000379:methods; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D038361:Neuronavigation; D019904:Polymethyl Methacrylate / Q000627:therapeutic use; D019919:Prosthesis Implantation / Q000379:methods*; D019651:Plastic Surgery Procedures / Q000379:methods*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012886:Skull / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery*; D014025:Titanium / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D018786:Bone Substitutes; D019904:Polymethyl Methacrylate; D014025:Titanium