Craneoplastías post-TEC en un único centro del Noroeste Argentino. Comparación de dos materiales

Abstract

Introduction: Various studies show that the rate of complications associated with cranioplasties has been underestimated. In mid 2016 we noticed a series of complications associated with this procedure in our Hospital. For this reason, it was decided to change the material used until then (i.e. methyl polymethylmethacrylate, PMMAM) for a different one (i.e. Titanium). The objective of this work is to analyze the post-operative results obtained with PMMAM versus Titanium.
Materials and Methods: Retrospective study including 99 patients undergoing cranioplasty in our Hospital from October 2015 to October 2018. Inclusion criteria: bone defect was caused after a closed post-TEC craniectomy, without infectious signs, operated in the same operating room, by the same surgeon and using the same technique for each material. For statistical analysis, the sample was divided into two groups: PMMAM (n= 44) versus Titanium (n=55).
Results: 85% (n=86) were male and the average age was 29 years (range: 17-63 years). A statistically significant difference was observed with respect to patients who developed certain complications between the PMMAM group and the Titanium group: epidural inflammatory liquid collection (14% vs 0%; p=0.006); surgical site infection (9% vs 0%; p=0.036) and surgical removal of the platelet (16% vs 0%; p=0.003).
Conclusion: The use of titanium mesh significantly reduced post-operative complications with respect to the use of PMMAM.