A new custom made bioceramic implant for the repair of large and complex craniofacial bone defects.

INTRODUCTION

Neurosurgery and Maxillofacial Surgery Departments of Limoges University Hospital Centre have developed a new concept of a custom made ceramic implant in hydroxyapatite (HA) for the reconstruction of large and complex craniofacial bone defects (more than 25 cm(2)).

MATERIALS AND

METHODS

The manufacturing process of the implants used a stereolithography technique that produces implants with three-dimensional shapes derived directly from the scan file of the patient's skull without moulding or machining. Eight patients received 8 implants between 2005 and 2008.

RESULTS

The surgical procedure is simple and fast. The post-operative follow-up was 12 months. No major complications (infection or fracture of the implant) were observed. The cosmetic result was considered satisfactory by both patients and surgeons.

CONCLUSIONS

These new implants are well suited for reconstruction of large craniofacial bone defects (greater than 25 cm(2)) in adults and children over 8 years.