Children cranioplasty

[Christy2018]

I am here to ask help for my nephew, who is 6 years old. He is in China, fell off from the first floor in school and hurt his brain seriously. His life was saved, but he needs a cranioplasty surgery. One thirds of the skull was removed. His parents consider about where to do the surgery and what kind of material to use? Does anybody know what cranioplasty materials are commonly used in UK for a child in this age? His parents are struggling now,.

[cat3]

Hello Christy. What a shame about your young nephew ; I hope he will receive the care he needs.

The materials used here for cranioplasty, if the bone flap is not being used, are Titanium plate or mesh, Synthetic bone substitute or Acrylic material, all of which can be moulded to the desired shape. Many brain surgeons prefer the Titanium as it's incredibly strong & pliable, and is apparently less prone to infection.

All good wishes for the best possible outcome for that little man....... Cat x

[Christy2018 in reply to cat3]

Hello, cat3, thanks for your kind reply and information. It helps a lot. If a child use titanium, is it needed to remove out in the future and put a new one instead? Because the bone of a child is growing. And do you know anything about polyetheretherketone (PEEK), which is suggested to my nephew in a hospital in China, but a doctor in another hospital suggested Titanuim. That’s why his parents are confused.

[cat3 in reply to Christy2018]

I think it's almost inevitable that a child will outgrow a plate comprised of artificial material, whereas the natural bone flap (autologous bone flap) has the ability to grow with the rest of the skull once reabsorbed.

But this is a critical decision which needs to be made by the surgeon, as only someone with the expertise and full understanding of the physiological issues should advise on such an important matter. If your nephew's parents are still uncertain about the procedure they need to seek a second opinion from a consultant paediatric neurosurgeon.

I wish I could help but this really is a medical matter at the highest level and needs the opinion of medical experts. Preferences on the type of flap do vary from one practitioner to another but I imagine the priority will be the least risky and the most permanent. But in the case of a young child there are so many considerations that you and I aren't even aware of.

I shall think of your little nephew and wonder how he's doing, so sending every good wish for his safety and wellbeing. Please come back with news of his progress.

Sincere best wishes for the best possible outcome, Cat x

[Christy2018 in reply to cat3]

Thanks for your advice and best wishes, cat. I have passed that to my nephew’s parents, they are much calmer now. It is nearly 6 month since the little boy had been undergoing his surgery. His parents had been trying to repair his skull as soon as possible. But recently, there were several stitches out of the wound. Don’t know if they need to wait to solve this problem first. Thanks again. Christy X

[Christy2018 in reply to cat3]

Sorry, I mean his parents had been trying to make an appointment for their son’s cranioplasty surgery as soon as possible, not themselves. Sorry for the mistake. Christy X

[lynnhach in reply to Christy2018]

Hi Christy. i am sorry for your nephew..we have the same experience with my daughter when she felt down from a swing and had a decrompressive craniotomy.she was 3 years old..we took the opinion of all doctors in our country and by the end we decied to wait untill she is old enough to do the cranioplasty.it's been now 4 years she is wearing a helmet and our neurosurgeon decied now to do the cranioplasty

[lynnhach in reply to Christy2018]

so we are wondering too about the materials used.we will probably decide on the polyethylene .what's new with your nephew?