Cranioplasty is a time-honoured surgical procedure to restore the calvarial form and function that is associated with a relatively high complication rate. The present article analyzed various complications and reviewed the complications based on study of the relevant research in the craniofacial literature. Complications were broadly divided into 2 groups, intraoperative and postoperative, for ease of understanding. The etiological factors, local and systemic condition of the patient, prevention, and management of various complications were widely discussed. The article also highlighted problems and complications associated with various reconstructive materials. Insights into various complications of cranioplasty enable surgeon to understand them better, minimize the chances of occurrence, and improve surgical outcome. In spite of reported high rate of complications, serious complications like meningitis, air embolism, and death are rare.
The term tension pneumocephalus (TP) means raised intracranial pressure due to air in the cranial cavity. This presentation is a rare case report and review on TP. Decompressing this raising intracranial pressure is a surgical emergency. Therefore, this presentation emphasises the importance of timely identification and management of TP in saving life. In this case, the acute signs of raising intracranial pressure were identified and promptly addressed surgically along with the maxillofacial injury management. This restored the deteriorating neurological status as well as his facial form and function. The etiological factors, pathophysiology and various treatment options are reviewed.
It was concluded that cranioplasty using autogenous split thickness calvarial graft for restoring cranial defects is a useful technique and this procedure allows the surgeon to reconstruct a moderate-to-large cranial defect, without breaching the inner cortical plate.
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