AB173. SOH26AB_0324. A 10-year retrospective analysis of cranioplasties at Cork University Hospital
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AB173. SOH26AB_0324. A 10-year retrospective analysis of cranioplasties at Cork University Hospital

Lena Dablouk1, David Johnson2, Hilali Ahmed1, Yasmina Richa3, Nina Carlos-De Clercq3, Michael Amoo2, Michael O’Sullivan1

1Department of Neurosurgery, Cork University Hospital, Cork, Ireland; 2Department of Neurosurgery, Beaumont Hospital, Dublin, Ireland; 3School of Medicine, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland

Background: Decompressive craniectomy is performed as a lifesaving intervention for refractory intracranial hypertension, yet its reconstructive counterpart, known as a cranioplasty, remains associated with notable complication rates. Despite advances in synthetic implants, the optimal method for bone-flap preservation is still debated, particularly as many centres have moved away from subcutaneous autologous storage due to concerns regarding infection and resorption. However, evidence directly comparing storage methods is limited. This study aims to evaluate cranioplasty outcomes over a 10-year period at a tertiary neurosurgical centre, with a specific focus on the safety, durability, and complication profile of autologous bone flaps, which are stored in the abdominal subcutaneous pocket.

Methods: A retrospective chart review was conducted on all patients undergoing cranioplasty at Cork University Hospital from 2013 to 2024. Data collected included demographics, initial craniectomy aetiology, cranioplasty material, and postoperative complications. Ethical approval was obtained from the Clinical Research and Ethics Committee (CREC).

Results: Ninety-five patients were included (67% male; mean age, 46.3 years). Autologous bone was the most frequently used material. The overall complication rate was 15%, with autologous cranioplasty showing a 12% complication rate. All complications occurred in patients with trauma-related aetiology. No clinically significant autologous bone resorption was noted. Synthetic materials demonstrated variable complication rates, with polyetheretherketone (PEEK) showing the highest (38%), compared with 25% in titanium and 11% in custom bone.

Conclusions: Across a decade of practice, subcutaneous abdominal storage of autologous bone flaps was safe and effective, demonstrating low complication rates and no significant resorption. These findings support its continued use as a cost-efficient alternative to synthetic implants.

Keywords: Autologous bone; complications; cranioplasty; neurosurgery; trauma

Acknowledgments

None.

Footnote

Funding: None.

Conflicts of Interest: The authors have no conflicts of interest to declare.

Ethical Statement: The authors are accountable for all aspects of the work in ensuring that questions related to the accuracy or integrity of any part of the work are appropriately investigated and resolved.

Open Access Statement: This is an Open Access article distributed in accordance with the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 4.0 International License (CC BY-NC-ND 4.0), which permits the non-commercial replication and distribution of the article with the strict proviso that no changes or edits are made and the original work is properly cited (including links to both the formal publication through the relevant DOI and the license). See: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/.

doi: 10.21037/map-26-ab173
Cite this abstract as: Dablouk L, Johnson D, Ahmed H, Richa Y, Clercq NCD, Amoo M, O’Sullivan M. AB173. SOH26AB_0324. A 10-year retrospective analysis of cranioplasties at Cork University Hospital. Mesentery Peritoneum 2026;10:AB173.

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