Complication rate of transtemporal hydroxyapatite cement cranioplasties: a case series review of 76 cranioplasties.
OBJECTIVE
The objective of this study was to evaluate the complication rate of transtemporal cranioplasties using hydroxyapatite cement (HAC) for repair.


METHODS
We conducted a retrospective case review of patients receiving HAC cranioplasties in the Acoustic Neuroma and Skull Base Surgery Program between July 1998 and December 2002.


METHODS
This study was conducted at a tertiary referral center.


METHODS
A total of 76 HAC cranioplasties were performed in 72 patients undergoing lateral skull base surgery. Patients undergoing anterior skull base surgery or those in which HAC was used for other reconstructive purposes were excluded from the study.


METHODS
We studied transtemporal approaches for otologic procedures requiring cranioplasty.


METHODS
Main outcomes measures consisted of complications requiring medical or surgical intervention.


RESULTS
Of the 76 HAC cranioplasties, two cranioplasty grafts became infected, requiring explantation. The first case involved a wound infection that extended into and involved the HAC graft; the second involved seeding of the HAC graft after meningitis after a percutaneous, endoscopic gastrostomy tube placement performed several days after the primary skull base surgery. This gives our series a wound infection incidence rate of 1.3% and an overall complication incidence rate of 2.63%.


CONCLUSIONS
This retrospective review provides the largest series to date evaluating the incidence of infection in HAC cranioplasties. Despite having a much larger series, our complication rate is the lowest published rate of HAC cranioplasty explantation, and the incidence of superficial wound infections reported here is consistent with the published data for neurosurgical and neurotologic procedures.
Poetker
David M
DM
Department of Otolaryngology and Communication Sciences, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee 53226, USA.
Pytynia
Kristen B
KB
Meyer
Glenn A
GA
Wackym
P Ashley
PA
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D001843:Bone Cements / Q000009:adverse effects; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003399:Craniotomy / Q000379:methods; D017886:Durapatite / Q000009:adverse effects; D005260:Female; D006407:Hematoma, Epidural, Cranial / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009464:Neuroma, Acoustic / Q000601:surgery; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000453:epidemiology*; D019651:Plastic Surgery Procedures / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D019291:Skull Base / Q000601:surgery*; D013530:Surgical Wound Infection / Q000453:epidemiology; D013701:Temporal Bone / Q000601:surgery; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D001843:Bone Cements; D017886:Durapatite