title: Bone Flap Resorption Following Cranioplasty after Decompressive Craniectomy: Preliminary Report.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Resorption of autologous bone flap grafts is a known long-term complication of cranioplasty following decompressive craniectomy (DC). We analyzed our data to identify risk factors for bone flap resorption (BFR) following cranioplasty.
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 162 patients who underwent cranioplasty following DC due to life-threatening elevated intracranial pressure between October 2003 and December 2012, were included in our investigation. Follow-up exceeded one year.
  
  
  RESULTS
  BFR occurred as a long-term complication in 9 of the 162 patients (5.6%). The affected patients consisted of individuals who had undergone DC for traumatic brain injury (TBI; n=4), for subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH; n=3), for cerebral infarction (n=1), and intracerebral hemorrhage (n=1). Logistic regression analysis identified no significant risk factors for BFR.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  TBI and SAH as initial diagnoses are more often associated with BFR than other diagnoses. This finding may influence future surgical decision making, especially in patients with possible risk factors for BFR. A prospective study with a large number of patients is needed to identify potential predictors of BFR such as bone flap sterilization and preservation.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurosurgery, Hanyang University Guri Hospital, Guri, Korea.
authors.forename: Ji Sang
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurosurgery, Hanyang University Guri Hospital, Guri, Korea.
authors.forename: Jin Hwan
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Cheong
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurosurgery, Hanyang University Guri Hospital, Guri, Korea.
authors.forename: Je Il
authors.initials: JI
authors.lastname: Ryu
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurosurgery, Hanyang University Guri Hospital, Guri, Korea.
authors.forename: Jae Min
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurosurgery, Hanyang University Guri Hospital, Guri, Korea.
authors.forename: Choong Hyun
authors.initials: CH
authors.lastname: Kim
keywords: Bone resorption; Cranioplasty; Decompressive craniectomy