Cranioplasty with autologous cryopreserved bone after decompressive craniectomy: complications and risk factors for developing surgical site infection.
BACKGROUND
Renewed interest has developed in decompressive craniectomy, and improved survival is shown when this treatment is used after malignant middle cerebral artery infarction. The aim of this study was to investigate the frequency and possible risk factors for developing surgical site infection (SSI) after delayed cranioplasty using autologous, cryopreserved bone.


METHODS
This retrospective study included 74 consecutive patients treated with decompressive craniectomy during the time period May 1998 to October 2010 for various non-traumatic conditions causing increased intracranial pressure due to brain swelling. Complications were registered and patient data was analyzed in a search for predictive factors.


RESULTS
Fifty out of the 74 patients (67.6 %) survived and underwent delayed cranioplasty. Of these, 47 were eligible for analysis. Six patients (12.8 %) developed SSI following the replacement of autologous cryopreserved bone, whereas bone resorption occurred in two patients (4.3 %). No factors predicted a statistically significant rate of SSI, however, prolonged procedural time and cardiovascular comorbidity tended to increase the risk of SSI.


CONCLUSIONS
SSI and bone flap resorption are the most frequent complications associated with the reimplantation of autologous cryopreserved bone after decompressive craniectomy. Prolonged procedural time and cardiovascular comorbidity tend to increase the risk of SSI.
Department of Neurosurgery, Oslo University Hospital Rikshospitalet, Postboks 4950, Nydalen, 0424, Oslo, Norway, jsundset@ous-hf.no.
J
J
Sundseth
A
A
Sundseth
J
J
Berg-Johnsen
W
W
Sorteberg
K-F
KF
Lindegaard
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001862:Bone Resorption; D016025:Bone Transplantation / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000379:methods*; D001929:Brain Edema / Q000601:surgery; D002648:Child; D015925:Cryopreservation / Q000379:methods*; D056424:Decompressive Craniectomy / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D019586:Intracranial Hypertension / Q000601:surgery; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D012886:Skull / Q000601:surgery*; D013524:Surgical Flaps; D013530:Surgical Wound Infection / Q000453:epidemiology*; D013997:Time Factors; D014182:Transplantation, Autologous; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult