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

IntroductionNeurosurgery 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 cm2).Materials and methodsThe 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.ResultsThe 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.ConclusionsThese new implants are well suited for reconstruction of large craniofacial bone defects (greater than 25 cm2) in adults and children over 8 years.