Bone flap being uneven...

[DizzyGuy]

Hi all, its been 6.5 years since my crainioplasty using my original skull bone flap. Roughly 40% of the right side of my skull was removed for a decompressive crainiectomy after a motorcycle accident I had March 20, 2011. I have since then experienced it looking more uneven since time has went on. The top to the front by my forehead has a step down of about 1/2". I was wondering if anyone has had any such problems and may know if its normal or not. It isn't too painful physically, but it makes me not want to get my hair cut short because I hate seeing it in the mirror so I wear a hat all the time. Its hard on my wife mainly because she sees me in a different light than I do. I'm normally a very upbeat and positive person but I do have times where I get severly depressed after seeing myself. I haven't been to a neuro since after healing except for a few ER visits I had and nobody ever said anything about being abnormal.

Any help or advice would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks

[cat3]

I don't have a cranioplasty but my understanding is that surgeons do their best, to not only secure the flap with minimum risk of damage/infection, but with concern for the cosmetic appearance.

I get the impression this ridge is a recent development, maybe suggesting some movement ? Have you sought a clinical opinion on it ?

[malalatete]

If the change in your appearance is worsening, and is part of the cause of your experience of depression, then you have a good clinical basis for asking them to take a further look. That isn't to say whether or not they may be able to help, only a surgeon could tell you that, but you would be doing nothing wrong by asking. I would pop in to your GP, explain the connection and ask for a referral. ASAP.

[dbyeti]

My husband had a cranioplasty after his second (!) brain haemorrhage. It was okay immediately after the operation, but by several months later, one side of his skull had slipped a bit. The neurosurgeon said it was possible to operate to fix it, but he sounded very against such a procedure for cosmetic reasons - I think partly because it is a major operation and also because my husband did so badly after both his operations and ended up being in a coma for several weeks afterwards (that the Medical staff couldn't really explain). Anyway, it sounds like surgery is possible to fix this but only if youhave a very good reason. Severe depression would probably Count as a good reason, though!

My husband always had long hair until his 2nd haemorrhage, and has ended up with a shorter style (after getting one side of his head shaved) but still has it quite long so it covers everything up. If you're used to having it short, then I can understand you would want to continue With that. It may be worth experimenting With a longer hair style and working With a very good hairdresser. Btw, my husband goes to the hairdresser at the hospital where he spent a lot of time, partly because they are probably used to seeing all kinds of weird sh*t. But, they may also be used to these kinds of problems and have ways of "hiding" such problems so they're not as visible.

[DizzyGuy]

Thanks for your replies. I'll try talking to a Dr to see what we can do. My wife says it's all in my head and that I'm the only one who notices but that doesn't change how I can get to feeling. Especially after a hair cut that takes off more than I wanted. (Like the one that drove me to write this post lol)

[DizzyGuy]

Well I had my cranioplasty redone last week because of the original bone flap resorption that was happening. It was painful but I wanted it done. The new bone flap fit great and the surgery was done using a plastic surgeon and neuro for the bone flap removal. They used a PEEK implant this time around and attacked a tissue graft from my thigh to fill the area of my cheek muscle. It's been 7 days since surgery and it feels great but the swelling is still pretty bad. I forgot how long it took last time for the swelling to go down lol. Let me know if any of you remember