Overview
Cranioplasty is a surgical procedure that treats or repairs a defect in the skull. Skull is one of the most important and protective parts of the brain. The skull is the bone that surrounds and protects the brain. Cranioplasty helps to repair a defect in the skull that gives protection to the brain from getting damaged. Cranioplasty surgery is recommended after certain forms of brain surgery or any traumatic injury. The main aim of the cranioplasty procedure is to repair and reshape a defect in the skull.
During the surgical intervention, the surgeon may perform:
- Replace part of the skull.
- Repair damage to the skull.
- Reshape the skull.
This surgery is common after certain reasons that includes:
- A traumatic head injury
- A growth abnormality
- Previous cranial surgery
A cranioplasty in India is a procedure that is recommended after some types of craniectomies or other forms of brain surgery.
Conditions that cranioplasty treats
A cranioplasty treats certain conditions such as:
- Congenital defects (defects by birth)
- Damage due to traumatic injury
- Abnormal shape of the skull (cosmetic defects)
- A hole or defect caused by previous surgery in the skull
- Parts of the skull where the brain is unsafe due to injury
Surgical procedure to perform cranioplasty
- A general anesthesia is given to the patient to make the patient sleep and feel no pain during the procedure.
- Before starting the procedure, hair is shaved from the incision site and made sure it should be clean.
- Surgeons make an incision (cut) into the skin. In case the patient already has craniectomy surgery the same area for incision will be used.
- With greater precision, surgeons carefully set aside the tissue and muscle away to get access to the skull.
- Repairing of the skull or replacing the missing part of the skull with either bone or customized implant is done. Material used for the implants are mostly Titanium plates and screws. These plates secures the implant in the original position.
- Then the tissue is moved back and muscles into place over the repaired piece of skull.
- Lastly the incisions are closed.
Material used during cranioplasty
Here is the list of materials that are used during cranioplasty to repair the skull.
- A bone from another part of the body also known as bone graft.
- A piece of skull that was removed in previous surgery.
- Titanium place or metal plate
- Mesh
- A customized implant
The material is selected by the surgeons according to the condition of the patient, also keeping in mind the risk and complications of the procedure.
Benefits of cranioplasty
Some of the common benefits of cranioplasty include:
- Reshape the head
- Protects the brain
- It treats loop or dimpling after cranioplasty
- Reduces headache
- Enhance and improve brain function
Risk of cranioplasty
Some of the common risks of cranioplasty should be understood before the procedure. It has nearly a 40% chance of risk or complications. The most common risk of cranioplasty include:
- Infection
- Blood clot
- Brain injury or brain damage
- Pneumonia
- Serious or life threatening risks include:
- Hydrocephalus
- Seizure
- Stroke
Cost of cranioplasty in India
The cost of cranioplasty in India is affordable and less as compared to other nations. Due to various reasons India is providing the best medical facilities too without compromising on quality. However, the total cost of the treatment may be different due to various aspects like the type of surgery, experience of the surgeon, location of hospital and more.
India is among the top leading countries that have been providing medical facilities with top notch quality and serving the patients since years.
Summary
Cranioplasty is a surgical procedure that treats or repairs a defect in the skull. Skull is one of the most important and protective parts of the brain. The skull is the bone that surrounds and protects the brain.
The main aim of the cranioplasty procedure is to repair and reshape a defect in the skull. There are many ups and downs of emotions if the patient is going through second surgery to repair the skull after brain surgery.
Cranioplasty is recommended after a craniectomy or traumatic injury. There are various risks related to this type of surgery, additionally they are treatable if diagnosed at the initial stage.
