Decompressive hemicraniectomy and cranioplasty using subcutaneously preserved autologous bone flaps versus synthetic implants: perioperative outcomes and cost analysis.

Decompressive hemicraniectomy and cranioplasty using subcutaneously preserved autologous bone flaps versus synthetic implants: perioperative outcomes and cost analysis. - 2022

Available online from MWHC library: July 1990 - present, Available in print through MWHC library: 1999 - present

CONCLUSIONS: Autologous bone flaps may offer a cost-effective option compared to synthetic flaps. However, when preserved in abdominal SQ tissue, they pose the risk of resorption over time as well as abdominal surgical site complications with increased reoperation rates. Further studies and methodologies such as cryopreservation of the bone flap may be beneficial to reduce costs and eliminate complications associated with abdominal SQ storage. METHODS: A retrospective review was performed of all patients undergoing DHC procedures between January 2017 and July 2021 at two tertiary care institutions. Patients were divided into two groups: those with flaps preserved in SQ tissue (SQ group), and those with the flap discarded (discarded group). Additional analysis was performed between patients undergoing AC versus SC. Primary end points included postoperative and surgical site complications. Secondary endpoints included operative costs, length of stay, and blood loss. OBJECTIVE: It has not been well-elucidated whether there are advantages to preserving bone flaps in abdominal subcutaneous (SQ) tissue after decompressive hemicraniectomy (DHC), compared to discarding bone flaps. The authors aimed to compare perioperative outcomes and costs for patients undergoing autologous cranioplasty (AC) after DHC with the bone flap preserved in abdominal SQ tissue, and for patients undergoing synthetic cranioplasty (SC). RESULTS: A total of 248 patients who underwent DHC were included in the study, with 155 patients (62.5%) in the SQ group and 93 (37.5%) in the discarded group. Patients in the discarded group were more likely to have a diagnosis of severe TBI (57.0%), while the most prevalent diagnosis in the SQ group was malignant stroke (35.5%, p < 0.05). There were 8 (5.2%) abdominal surgical site infections and 9 (5.8%) abdominal hematomas. The AC group had a significantly higher reoperation rate (23.2% vs 12.9%, p = 0.046), with 11% attributable to abdominal reoperations. The average cost of a reoperation for an abdominal complication was


English

0022-3085

10.3171/2022.3.JNS212637 [doi]


IN PROCESS -- NOT YET INDEXED


MedStar Washington Hospital Center


MedStar Georgetown University Hospital/MedStar Washington Hospital Center
Neurosurgery
Neurosurgery Residency
Radiology


Journal Article

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