title: The comparison between dissociate bone flap cranioplasty and traditional cranioplasty in the treatment of depressed skull fractures.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Depressed skull fractures (DSF) with operation indications should be paid with enough attention because they have several complications and can influence esthetics. The optimal surgical method for DSF remains unclear. We explored the merits of dissociate bone flap cranioplasty.
  
  
  METHODS
  From July 2006 to August 2012, we performed 30 craniotomies on patients with DSF, which were divided into 2 groups: 1 group, which consisted of 18 patients, underwent dissociate bone cranioplasty; the other 12 patients underwent lever-up cranioplasty. A helical computed tomographic scan was routinely obtained after the operation and a 3-dimensional technique was performed on some patients to evaluate the postoperative condition of the flap.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Dissociate bone flap cranioplasty was performed on the 18 patients [11 men, 7 women: age, 26-70 (41) y]. No complications were observed in these patients. Lever-up cranioplasty was applied in the 12 patients [8 men, 4 women: age, 19-60 (41.8) y]; 2 patients had wound infection and 2 emerged with epidural hematoma. Obvious statistical significance of stability (P = 0.013) and position (P = 0.015) was found between the 2 methods.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Dissociate bone flap cranioplasty is safer, more flexible, has less complications, and has better plasticity. We advocate the use of bone flap cranioplasty in dealing with DSF.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurosurgery, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, The Affiliated Hospital of Medical College, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China.
authors.forename: Yingfeng
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Wan
authors.forename: Xinwei
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Cong
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Qian
authors.forename: Zhaoliang
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Xue
authors.forename: Shuxu
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Yang
authors.forename: Yirong
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Wang
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003399:Craniotomy / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D020204:Skull Fracture, Depressed / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D013524:Surgical Flaps; D036542:Tomography, Spiral Computed; D016896:Treatment Outcome