Bone Flap Changes after Cranioplasty Using Frozen Autologous Bone Flaps: A Three-Dimensional Volumetric Reconstruction Study

PURPOSE: Bone flap resorption (BFR) after cranioplasty with an autologous bone flap (ABF) is well known. However, the prevalences and degrees of BFR remain unclear. This study aimed to evaluate changes in ABFs following cranioplasty and to investigate factors related with BFR. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed 97 patients who underwent cranioplasty with frozen ABF between January 2007 and December 2016. Brain CT images of these patients were reconstructed to form three-dimensional (3D) images, and 3D images of ABF were separated using medical image editing software. ABF volumes on images were measured using 3D image editing software and were compared between images in the immediate postoperative period and at postoperative 12 months. Risk factors related with BFR were also analyzed. RESULTS: The volumes of bone flaps calculated from CT images immediately after cranioplasty ranged from 55.3 cm(3) to 175 cm(3). Remnant bone flap volumes at postoperative 12 months ranged from 14.2% to 102.5% of the original volume. Seventy-five patients (77.3%) had a BFR rate exceeding 10% at 12 months after cranioplasty, and 26 patients (26.8%) presented severe BFR over 40%. Ten patients (10.3%) underwent repeated cranioplasty due to severe BFR. The use of a 5-mm burr for central tack-up sutures was significantly associated with BFR (p<0.001). CONCLUSION: Most ABFs after cranioplasty are absorbed. Thus, when using frozen ABF, patients should be adequately informed. To prevent BFR, making holes must be kept to a minimum during ABF grafting.