title: Cranioplasty of Large Cranial Defects With Porous Polyethylene Implants.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Reconstruction of cranial defects due to trauma or other causes has been carried out since ages with a wide variety of materials. The aim of reconstruction was mainly to restore cosmesis and protect the brain from further injury. However, recent studies have shown that cranioplasty not only improves the cerebral blood flow but also leads to improvement of cognitive functions. The materials used include autologous bone, allogeneic bone, xenografts, and alloplasts. The search for an ideal material continues. The authors present their experience with cranioplasty using prefabricated porous polyethylene implants.
  
  
  METHODS
  Patients requiring cranioplasty for reconstruction of large sized (more than 15 cm in any 1 dimension) cranial defects were selected. Three patients were men and 2 were women. The age group of the patient ranged from 18 to 58 years. Preformed Biopore Hemisphere was used in every patient for cranial reconstruction.
  
  
  RESULTS
  No complications were seen in our patients. One patient who had undergone titanium cranioplasty previously showed remarkable improvement in cognitive functions.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Porous polyethylene prefabricated implants are a good restorative material for reconstruction of large cranial defects.
authors.affiliation: *Swami Devi Dyal Hospital and Dental College, Barwala †Command Hospital ‡Command Military Dental Centre, Chandimandir, Panchkula, Haryana, India.
authors.forename: Nanukuttan Girish
authors.initials: NG
authors.lastname: Kumar
authors.forename: Mukkamala
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Sreenivas
authors.forename: Srinivas
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Gowda
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D003399:Craniotomy / Q000379:methods*; D004954:Esthetics; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D020959:Polyethylene; D016062:Porosity; D019736:Prostheses and Implants; D019651:Plastic Surgery Procedures / Q000379:methods*; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D020959:Polyethylene