Swelling fluid after cranioplasty

[Elainegaler]

Hi I had a cranioplasty (titanium plate) on 19th February. The staples were removed after 10 days and that’s when the problems started! The wounds wouldn’t heal and despite, various steps ( stitches, super glue etc) I was readmitted and then had plastic surgery on 28th March. Things are healing much better this time. Over the last few days I have developed a sizeable area of fluid over the plate. Before it was there but much smaller, is there anything I should be doing to help this to go down? Any help would be appreciated as my gp/local hospital just refer me back to addenbrokes.

[WinB]

Hi Elaine,

I read about this on BTG/Behind the Grey/SAH, a girl had it and she had to go back and is well now. Best to get it checked though in case. !! Good luck at Addenbrookes and let us know how it went xxxx

[Elainegaler]

Thanks WinB. It’s all been a bit of a roller coaster so I’m probably a bit paranoid! I have a Picc line and daily antibiotics so hopefully it’s not an infection and is just normal post operative swelling..I go to local hospital every week for inspection and further supplies and they commented on it and spoke to addenbrokes. Neuro seem happy - I’m seeing plastics team next week. Last appointment with plastics they mentioned draining it but are leaving it until the next appointment - it’s just that it seems to be getting bigger! Xx

[DTBI]

Sorry your experiencing such a nightmare! I had a titanium fitted on the left hand side of my skull 5yrs ago but had no problem other an infection a couple of months later, which was no big deal. I had the original skull op 3 mths earlier if that helped things settle prior to the replacement? Good luck with it x

[Elainegaler in reply to DTBI]

Thanks for your reply. You mention an infection - how was that? Addenbrooke’s keep mentioning infections and saying they will have to take the plate out. So far We have managed to avoid this. Was this mentioned to you?

[DTBI]

Mine was a straightforward blood infection, I had some swelling on my face/head. They simply made me go back to hospital for 3 weeks and gave me the strongest anti-biotic every day. This did manage to work, had it not done they would have had to remove my titanium plate. Hopefully they can use medicine on you first and foremost.

[Elainegaler in reply to DTBI]

Thanks for your reply. My bloods are not showing any infection - they are checked weekly as I am on daily antibiotics for 6 weeks ( I have a picc line). I’ll just have to keep fingers crossed that the fluid will go away with time! Xx

[DTBI]

Good luck with it. x

[Elainegaler in reply to DTBI]

Thanks xx

[Allywally1974]

I have subgaleal swelling after cranioplasty in March. Swelling in scalp so skin is not attaching to implant. Surgeon has advised to raise head of my bed, stay upright and wear compression bandages

[Elainegaler]

Thanks for your reply - I hope it works out for you. My wound wouldn’t heal so the plate came out 3 weeks ago. Had the stitches out 2 weeks later and it leaks! I really don’t understand why I am having so many problems additional stitches put in over leak and I’m back to hospital tomorrow to take these stitches out. I’m hoping they will be able to explain a bit more and hopefully plan to replace the plate in the future..