Polymethylmethacrylate cranioplasty using low-cost customised 3D printed moulds for cranial defects – a single Centre experience: technical note

Abstract

We report our experience with 3D customised cranioplasties for large cranial defects. They were made by casting bone cement in custom made moulds at the time of surgery. Between October 2015 and January 2018, 29 patients underwent the procedure; 25 underwent elective cranioplasties for large cranial defects and four were bone tumour resection and reconstruction cases. The majority of patients (96.5%) reported a satisfactory aesthetic outcome. No infections related to the surgical procedure were observed in the follow-up period. The method proved to be effective and affordable.

Keywords:

• Cranioplasty
• trauma
• outcome
• meningioma

Acknowledgements

We would like to thank Ante Melada, MD at our Department for his selfless mentoring while the method was first introduced.

Disclosure statement

The authors report no conflict of interest.