Two Cases of Bone Infection after Cranioplasty Treated with Minimum Skin Incision by Using Neuro-endoscope

Abstract

Cranioplasty is usually performed in patients with previous external decompression for massive cerebral edema accompanied by severe brain hemorrhage or malignant infarction. However, post-operative infection sometimes occurs after the cranioplasty. If an infection occurs, infected bone removal and second cranioplasty is required. In such cases, the second cranioplasty is difficult because of the thin scar from the previous operation and skin atrophy. We report our experience of two cases requiring a third cranioplasty due to repeated cranial bone infections. In these two cases, we could successfully perform cranioplasty with minimum skin incision by peeling back the skin and dura mater using a neuro-endoscope.