The Atkinson Morley's Hospital joint neurosurgical – maxillofacial procedures: Cranioplasty case series 1985–2003

SummaryAimsTo present a retrospective case series resulting from the co-operation in cranioplasty procedures between neurosurgeons and maxillofacial surgeons of the Atkinson Morley's and Royal Marsden Hospitals of London, UK for the period 1985–2003.Materials and methodsThe cranioplasty case series is part of an integrated analysis of the complete Atkinson Morley's Hospital craniofacial procedure database. Cases included both cosmetic and functional procedures. The latter followed a variety of conditions such as tumour recurrence, craniectomy-associated neurological symptoms, wound infection and infection of previous prosthesis or bone flap.ResultsFourty-eight procedures (27 functional, 21 cosmetic) were performed in 43 patients (mean age: 44.99 years, SD: 18.1 years). Our case notes analysis reviewed symptoms on presentation and duration, previous neurosurgical procedures and previous histopathology, nature and length of operative procedure, imaging studies, post-operative complications and management, and patient follow-up and survival data.ConclusionAnalysis of the international literature highlights the paucity and poor quality of evidence on the subject of cranioplasty. The authors hope this work adds to the body of knowledge, despite its retrospective nature.