Risk factors for bone flap resorption after autologous bone cranioplasty: Protocol for a systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND: One of the most common complications following autologous cranioplasty is bone flap resorption (BFR). Severe BFR can lead to revision surgery with implantation of synthetic bone flap and also necessarily lead to higher hospital expenses. This study aims to perform a meta-analysis to summarize available evidence regarding risk factors of BFR requiring a second surgery in patients with autologous cranioplasty. METHODS: Cohort, case-control, and cross-sectional studies that report the incidence and risk factors of BFR among patients with autologous cranioplasty, published in English, will be considered for selection. Three databases from inception to May 2020 will be searched. The process of data selection, quality assessment, and data extraction will be assessed by 2 authors independently. The study quality will be assessed by Newcastle-Ottawa Scale (NOS) and Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality checklist. The statistical analysis of this meta-analysis will be calculated by Review manager version 5.3. RESULTS: The results of this systematic review and meta-analysis will be disseminated through academic conferences and expected to publish in a peer-reviewed journal CONCLUSION: This study will offer high-quality evidence about risk factors for BFR after autologous cranioplasty. REGISTRATION NUMBER: INPLASY202050063.