title: [Clinical applications of devitalized autogenous calvarial bone flaps fixed with titanium clamps (CranioFix) for cranioplasty].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate reimplantation of devitalized autogenous calvarial bone flaps and the fixation of titanium clamps (CranioFix) for cranioplasty.
  
  
  METHODS
  From March 2000 to December 2003, 21 patients underwent (1) delayed reimplantation of preserved autogenous bone flaps, which were removed during the initial operations for increased intracranial pressure and stored in a freezer and autoclaved before use, or (2) immediate reimplantation of tumor invaded bone flaps that were devitalized by boiling. All of these flaps were fixed with titanium clamps (CranioFix). Resorption of the bone flaps was monitored by skull roentgenograms and computed tomography (CT). The clinical and aesthetic results were evaluated.
  
  
  RESULTS
  During the follow-up period of 6 to 30 months, no complications were found. There was slight resorption of the bone flaps in all cases, but the edge of the bone flaps was within the range of the titanium clamps according to skull roentgenograms and CT. Clinical and aesthetic results were highly satisfactory.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  It is simple and practical using devitalized autogenous calvarial bone flaps for cranioplasty. The firmness decreasing of the reimplanted bone flap due to resorption can be prevented greatly by titanium clamps (CranioFix).
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurosurgery, Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310009, China.
authors.forename: Jian-Min
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.forename: Xiao-Min
authors.initials: XM
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Gao
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Xiang-Dong
authors.initials: XD
authors.lastname: Zhu
authors.forename: Qun
authors.initials: Q
authors.lastname: Wu
authors.forename: Xue-Song
authors.initials: XS
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.forename: San-Chao
authors.initials: SC
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Shu-You
authors.initials: SY
authors.lastname: Peng
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D016025:Bone Transplantation / Q000379:methods*; D003399:Craniotomy / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D012886:Skull / Q000601:surgery*; D013524:Surgical Flaps; D014025:Titanium; D014182:Transplantation, Autologous; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D014025:Titanium