Reconstruction of a large complex skull defect in a child: a case report and literature review.
BACKGROUND
Major skull defects, especially in the anterior region, can present as a most disturbing deformity. Reconstructive cranioplasty can restore cerebral protection and improve craniofacial aesthetics. Complex and large skull defects in children often present reconstructive difficulties.


METHODS
In this paper, an unusual case of a very large post-traumatic defect (318 cm(2)) in a child managed by a multidisciplinary team is described. The literature is reviewed.


CONCLUSIONS
The management of a large complex skull defect in children is still controversial. Each case should be extensively debated in craniofacial units. In our case, bioceramics proved to be an effective and good alternative for final skull reconstruction.
de Oliveira
Ricardo Santos
RS
Division of Pediatric Neurosurgery, Ribeirão Preto School of Medicine, University of São Paulo, Campus Universitário, Ribeirão Preto, SP 14049-900, Brazil. rsoliveira@hcrp.fmrp.usp.br
Brigato
Rodrigo
R
Madureira
João Flávio Gurjão
JF
Cruz
Antonio Augusto Velasco
AA
de Mello Filho
Francisco Veríssimo
FV
Alonso
Nivaldo
N
Machado
Helio Rubens
HR
D000328:Adult; D018786:Bone Substitutes; D002516:Ceramics; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010348:Patient Care Team; D019736:Prostheses and Implants; D019651:Plastic Surgery Procedures; D012883:Skin Ulcer / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology; D020204:Skull Fracture, Depressed / Q000150:complications / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery*; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed
D018786:Bone Substitutes