title: Immediate titanium mesh cranioplasty for treatment of postcraniotomy infections.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Postcraniotomy infections have generally been treated by debridement of infected tissues, disposal of the bone flap, and delayed cranioplasty several months later to repair the resulting skull defect. Debridement followed by retention of the bone flap has also been advocated. Here we propose an alternative operative strategy for the treatment of postcraniotomy infections.
  
  
  METHODS
  Two patients presenting with clinical and radiographic signs and symptoms of postcraniotomy infections were treated by debridement, bone flap disposal, and immediate titanium mesh cranioplasty. The patients were subsequently administered antibiotics, and their clinical courses were followed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The patients treated in this fashion did not have recurrence of their infections during 3-year follow-up periods.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Surgical debridement, bone flap disposal, and immediate titanium mesh cranioplasty may be a suitable option for the treatment of postcraniotomy infections. This treatment strategy facilitates the eradication of infectious sources and obviates the risks and costs associated with a second surgical procedure.
authors: Surgical and Molecular Neuro-oncology Unit, National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA.
authors: Joshua J
authors: JJ
authors: Wind
authors: Chima
authors: C
authors: Ohaegbulam
authors: Fabio M
authors: FM
authors: Iwamoto
authors: Peter M
authors: PM
authors: Black
authors: John K
authors: JK
authors: Park
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001254:Astrocytoma / Q000601:surgery; D001932:Brain Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery; D003399:Craniotomy / Q000009:adverse effects*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008577:Meningeal Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery; D008579:Meningioma / Q000601:surgery; D019651:Plastic Surgery Procedures / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods; D012886:Skull / Q000601:surgery; D013526:Surgical Mesh; D013530:Surgical Wound Infection / Q000601:surgery*; D014025:Titanium
chemical_list: D014025:Titanium