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Reconstruction of a large complex skull defect in a child: a case report and literature review

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Abstract

Background

Major skull defects, especially in the anterior region, can present as a most disturbing deformity. Reconstructive cranioplasty can restore cerebral protection and improve craniofacial aesthetics. Complex and large skull defects in children often present reconstructive difficulties.

Materials and methods

In this paper, an unusual case of a very large post-traumatic defect (318 cm2) in a child managed by a multidisciplinary team is described. The literature is reviewed.

Conclusion

The management of a large complex skull defect in children is still controversial. Each case should be extensively debated in craniofacial units. In our case, bioceramics proved to be an effective and good alternative for final skull reconstruction.

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Notes

  1. Osteosynt®, produced by Einco Biomaterial, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil.

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Acknowledgements

The authors thank Eric Arnaud, M.D., from the Unit of Craniofacial Surgery, Hôpital Necker-Enfants Malades, Paris, France, for kindly revising the manuscript.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Division of Pediatric Neurosurgery, Ribeirão Preto School of Medicine, University of São Paulo, Campus Universitário, Ribeirão Preto, SP, 14049-900, Brazil

    Ricardo Santos de Oliveira, João Flávio Gurjão Madureira & Helio Rubens Machado

  2. Department of Ophthalmology, Otorhinolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery, Ribeirão Preto School of Medicine, University of São Paulo, 14049-900, Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil

    Rodrigo Brigato, Antonio Augusto Velasco Cruz & Francisco Veríssimo de Mello Filho

  3. Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, São Paulo School of Medicine, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil

    Nivaldo Alonso

Authors
  1. Ricardo Santos de Oliveira
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  2. Rodrigo Brigato
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  3. João Flávio Gurjão Madureira
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  4. Antonio Augusto Velasco Cruz
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  5. Francisco Veríssimo de Mello Filho
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  6. Nivaldo Alonso
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  7. Helio Rubens Machado
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Correspondence to Ricardo Santos de Oliveira.

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de Oliveira, R.S., Brigato, R., Gurjão Madureira, J.F. et al. Reconstruction of a large complex skull defect in a child: a case report and literature review. Childs Nerv Syst 23, 1097–1102 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00381-007-0413-7

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00381-007-0413-7

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