Problems of reconstructive cranioplasty after traumatic brain injury in children

Cranial repair after traumatic brain injury in children is still burdened by unsolved problems and controversial issues, mainly due to the high rate of resorption of autologous bone as well as the absence of valid alternative material to replace the autologous bone. Indeed, inert biomaterials are associated to satisfactory results in the short period but bear the continuous risk of complications related to the lack of osteointegration capacity. Biomimetic materials claiming osteoconductive properties that could balance their mechanical limits seem to allow good cranial bone reconstruction. However, these results should be confirmed in the long term and in larger series. Further complicating factors that may affect cranial reconstruction after head injury should be identified in the possible associated alterations of CSF dynamics and in difficulties to manage the traumatic skin lesion and the surgical wound, which also might impact on the cranioplasty outcome. All the abovementioned considerations should be taken into account when dealing with the cranial reconstruction after decompressive craniectomy in children.