[Peri-osseous intracranial translocation of titanium osteosynthesis plates and screws after fronto-orbital advancement].

BACKGROUND

Perossoeus intracranial translocation or passive intracranial transmission of titanium osteosynthesis plates and screws in the growing skull following surgical craniosynostosis corrections, also referred to as the PIT effect, has been described in the literature since 1995. It is a phenomenon which has not received due attention until recently and is explained by appositional and resorptional remodeling processes in the growing skull.

CASE REPORT AND DISCUSSION: An impressive case of the PIT effect with a total intracranial dislocation of titanium plates and screws is used to demonstrate the problems associated with this phenomenon and to discuss the few clinical case reports in the English-language literature. The obvious advantages of a resorbable material are pointed out; however, it is still uncertain as to whether the resorption process is fast enough to avoid the PIT effect if used clinically.