The Technique of Tantalum Plating of Skull Defects

Hemberger, Arthur J.; Whitcomb, Benjamin B.; Woodhall, Barnes

doi:10.3171/jns.1945.2.1.0021

Cited by 17 publications

(4 citation statements)

References 5 publications

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“…This "cast" was then used to shape the tantalum plate preoperatively. 30 For complicated bony defects particularly involving the orbital ridges, the repair was performed in 2 stages. A sterile dental mold was created in the first operation, from which a custom made implant was produced and implanted during a second operation.…”

Section: 67mentioning

confidence: 99%

“…4). 30,38,40,42,44,56 Before wire and screws became readily available, more involved inlay techniques were also developed to minimize the risk of implant migration (Fig. 5).…”

Section: Implant Fixation Techniquementioning

confidence: 99%

“…30,44,56,75 The "inlay with groove" technique was sometimes insufficient alone to prevent migration.…”

Section: Implant Fixation Techniquementioning

confidence: 99%

“…5). 30,44,56,75 With the various aforementioned techniques, plate migration was relatively uncommon, ranging from 0% to 5%. 30,56,75 These studies generally lacked long-term follow-up, so the true incidence of implant migration is not known.…”

Section: Implant Fixation Techniquementioning

confidence: 99%

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World War II, tantalum, and the evolution of modern cranioplasty technique

Flanigan

Kshettry

Benzel

2014

FOC

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Cranioplasty is a unique procedure with a rich history. Since ancient times, a diverse array of materials from coconut shells to gold plates has been used for the repair of cranial defects. More recently, World War II greatly increased the demand for cranioplasty procedures and renewed interest in the search for a suitable synthetic material for cranioprostheses. Experimental evidence revealed that tantalum was biologically inert to acid and oxidative stresses. In fact, the observation that tantalum did not absorb acid resulted in the metal being named after Tantalus, the Greek mythological figure who was condemned to a pool of water in the Underworld that would recede when he tried to take a drink. In clinical use, malleability facilitated a single-stage cosmetic repair of cranial defects. Tantalum became the preferred cranioplasty material for more than 1000 procedures performed during World War II. In fact, its use was rapidly adopted in the civilian population. During World War II and the heyday of tantalum cranioplasty, there was a rapid evolution in prosthesis implantation and fixation techniques significantly shaping how cranioplasties are performed today. Several years after the war, acrylic emerged as the cranioplasty material of choice. It had several clear advantages over its metallic counterparts. Titanium, which was less radiopaque and had a more optimal thermal conductivity profile (less thermally conductive), eventually supplanted tantalum as the most common metallic cranioplasty material. While tantalum cranioplasty was popular for only a decade, it represented a significant breakthrough in synthetic cranioplasty. The experiences of wartime neurosurgeons with tantalum cranioplasty played a pivotal role in the evolution of modern cranioplasty techniques and ultimately led to a heightened understanding of the necessary attributes of an ideal synthetic cranioplasty material. Indeed, the history of tantalum cranioplasty serves as a model for innovative thinking and adaptive technology development.

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Section: 67mentioning

confidence: 99%

“…4). 30,38,40,42,44,56 Before wire and screws became readily available, more involved inlay techniques were also developed to minimize the risk of implant migration (Fig. 5).…”

Section: Implant Fixation Techniquementioning

confidence: 99%

“…30,44,56,75 The "inlay with groove" technique was sometimes insufficient alone to prevent migration.…”

Section: Implant Fixation Techniquementioning

confidence: 99%