I wondered if anyone on here had experienced Cranioplasty and replacing missing bone flap with a prosthetic plate at all. I have been offered cranioplasty after my bone had to be removed (became infected and died) after having a Craniotomy to clip an aneurysm at M1 in my brain. I have been told by consultant there is many complications in that the tissues may have stuck together and can adhere to the surface of the brain with a risk of causing further damage to the brain. I have been very fortunate not to have suffered many neurological deficits in my aneurysm surgery and since the cranioplasty is for aesthetic reasons I am worried about going ahead with it. It would be good to speak to someone who may have had experience of one? Many thanks.
Cranioplasty: I wondered if anyone on... - Brain Aneurysm Su...
Cranioplasty
I fully understand your dilemma though I've not been in your position I have wondered how I'd cope if I had to make a difficult decision about surgery.
Being a business analyst I often approach personal decisions in the same analytical way. So I'd want to assess what happens if I do nothing; what would be the best outcome if I went ahead and what could be the worst outcome. Then I'd ask what the likelihood of each is. The more informed you are the better your decision. The surgeon should be able to provide statistics.
A member of my family had decompressive craniotomy a few months ago following a bleeding stroke. They threw away the bone flap and told him that they were going to put a prosthetic bone flap over the next two months. He acquired an infection on the incision whilst waiting for cranioplasty and had another surgery to clean the infection. Then the doctors conducted a cranioplasty using a strong plastic prosthetic bone. Unfortunately he started to feel tired, with lymph nodes on his neck, doctors dismissed because “he had no fever”; as a result he had another infection and another surgery to remove the prosthetic bone, a course of strong antibiotics and will wear a helmet for another 3-4 months before having another prosthetic bone flap inserted. There is a large risk of infection associated with cranioplasty and in most cases this is acquired in hospital. However having no surgery is not a very viable option because the person will need to wear a helmet the rest of their life’s. Does anyone know about successful cases of cranioplasty with prosthetic bone flaps?
Just an update.....I have just had my Cranioplasty and it couldn't have gone better for anybody else out there worrying. It has been so much easier and less painful than the initial surgery and extremely pleased with the results. Fingers crossed this is the end of all the surgery for now.
Happy to hear your op went well. Hope i don't get another infection as had 3 ops now and really don't think i could go through anymore. I only had mine done on the 12th of April so early days yet.
I totally empathise as spent 5 months in hospital and had 4 operations too as skull died causing infection in my brain and had to stay in on intravenous antibiotics. Leaves you feeling very vulnerable and weak. Very early days for you too so must be feeling very fragile still.
I've just had a titanium plate fitted because of an infection after the removal of a tumor. And i can say I am very happy with the result but I am having quite alot of pain and discomfort.
Sorry to hear you’re having lots of discomfort - first month I remember being very sore. Although I came out within 24hours of surgery I felt exhausted, lots of smarting, stinging, very tender and lots of pains I wasn’t sure about. I’m 3 months in now and it’s fully healed, feeling is coming back, it’s sunk in more than I wanted but hair now growing back so feeling much more human. Be gentle with yourself. After what you’ve been through needs to little steps and not expect too much initially.
I'm having my stitches out on Thursday and hoping mine don't sink too much. Has your sunk alot?
More than I hoped. They are suggesting an implant. I’m gonna discuss with plastic surgeon first. Like you I’m not sure if I want another risk and another procedure. My hair isn’t covering it just yet so think that’s what makes me more self conscious but I do wonder when I’m swimming it will be very noticeable or if I pull my hair up in ponytail. Feel very torn as these things always carry risks. Your discomfort should feel much less once stitches are out. It felt better for me. A couple of weeks to fully heal and hopefully you’ll get more rest if feeling less sore.
Thank you for your kind words and hopefully things will work out for the best for the both of us.
Does everyone's sink after the plate has been fitted do you know?
They said it wasn’t the plate sinking but muscle wastage, change in tissue density. Mine was right where your chew muscle is and think it’s because it got detached 4 times. I don’t wish to worry you. I suppose everybody is different because their tumour or aneurysm are all in different locations and the size of the plates are different. Mine is literally above my eyebrow on my face whereas someone else’s would be top middle of head and not as noticeable. I have days where I think it’s not so bad and others where I’m a little self conscious about it. I guess it’s still early days and I’m still coming to terms with it myself.
Mine is the left side of my forehead. Just have to hope and pray for the best outcome I suppose
Stitches out tomorrow! Hope it goes ok. How's u?
Thanks nav and maybe you should be taking it easy. I ended up back up the hospital and I'm now waiting on blood results to see if there is any infection. (here I go again)... Its like 1 minute I'm ok and doing good and then next bam!!! Back up the hospital....but hopefully it's ok. Feels alot better now the stitches are out but still not able to wash my hair yet. Xx
In shock after aneurysm spotted on MRI
Brain Aneurysm and eyesight probelms
Back to work. 
Recently diagnosed unruptured brain aneurysm