====== Custom made cranioplasty ======

Pre-fabricated custom [[bone flap]]s: commercially manufactured using 3-D printing based on thin-cut CT scans of the defect and, if available, utilizing a “mirror image” of the intact contralateral side as a model for the desired contour

a) polymethylmethacrylate

b) PEEK(poly-ether-ether-ketone)

c) titanium 

d) tantalum 

e) acrylic



To repair large, complex, skull defects one can choose either to reconstruct the vaults strictly intra-operatively or to prepare a so called “custom-made cranial implant,” prior to the operation. The disadvantages of intra-operative repair are time-consuming, increasing risk to the patient, insufficient protection from trauma and infection, often resulting in suboptimal cosmesis. However, custom made [[cranioplasty]] [[implant]]s have the advantages of a reduced operative time, less invasive surgery, improved cosmetic results, faster recuperation, and reduced costs due to a short operative time