title: Cranioplasty after trephination using a novel biodegradable burr hole cover: technical case report.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  We have developed novel biodegradable polymer implants by using the rapid prototyping technology fused deposition modeling. Early results of a clinical pilot study for cranioplasty are presented.
  
  
  METHODS
  Five patients with the diagnosis of chronic subdural hematoma were included in the study. After trephination and evacuation of the subdural hematoma, burr holes (diameter, 14 mm) were closed using a biodegradable implant made of polycaprolactone. Implants were computer designed with an upper rim diameter of 16 mm and a 14 mm body diameter with a fully interconnected, honeycomb-like architecture of 400 to 600 microm in pore size.
  
  
  METHODS
  Postoperative computed tomographic scans indicated that the plugs were stably anchored in the osseous host environment with no fluid collection detectable. The postoperative course was uneventful, and patients were discharged after 5 days. Follow-up scans after 3, 6, and 12 months showed that the implants were well integrated in the surrounding calvarial bone with new bone filling the porous space.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These novel polymer scaffolds made of the slow-degrading material polycaprolactone represent a suitable implant for closure of post-trephination defects.
authors.affiliation: Division of Plastic Surgery, National University of Singapore, Singapore.
authors.forename: Jan-Thorsten
authors.initials: JT
authors.lastname: Schantz
authors.forename: Thiam-Chye
authors.initials: TC
authors.lastname: Lim
authors.forename: Chou
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Ning
authors.forename: Swee Hin
authors.initials: SH
authors.lastname: Teoh
authors.forename: Kim Cheng
authors.initials: KC
authors.lastname: Tan
authors.forename: Shih Chang
authors.initials: SC
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Dietmar Werner
authors.initials: DW
authors.lastname: Hutmacher
mesh_terms: D020341:Absorbable Implants; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D003399:Craniotomy / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D020200:Hematoma, Subdural, Chronic / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013997:Time Factors; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D014207:Trephining / Q000379:methods*
chemical_list: D001672:Biocompatible Materials