Cranioplasty: A Comprehensive Review of the History, Materials, Surgical Aspects, and Complications

Cranioplasty is a common neurosurgical procedure performed to reconstruct cranial defects. The materials used to replace bone defects have evolved throughout history. Cranioplasty materials can be broadly divided into biological and synthetic materials. Biological materials can be further subdivided into autologous grafts, allografts, and xenografts. Allografts (bony materials and cartilage from cadavers) and xenografts (bony materials from animals) are out of favor for use in cranioplasty because of their high rates of infection, resorption, and rejection. In autologous cranioplasty, either the cranial bone itself or bones from other parts of the body of the patient are used. Synthetic bone grafts have reduced the operation time and led to better cosmetic results because of the advancement of computer-based customization and three-dimensional printing. Aluminum was the first synthetic bone graft material used, but it was found to irritate neural tissue, induce seizures, and dissolve over time. Acrylic, in the form of methyl methacrylate, is the most widely used material in cranioplasty. Hydroxyapatite is a natural component of bone and is believed to enhance bone repair, resulting in decreased tissue reactions and promoting good osteointegration. Polyetheretherketones are light and nonconductive and do not interfere with imaging modalities. The complication rates of cranioplasty are high, and surgical site infection is the most common complication. The effect of cranioplasty timing on cognitive function remains debatable. However, the timing of cranioplasty is independent of neurologic outcomes. In this article, the history, materials, complications, and evolution of current practices used in cranioplasty are comprehensively reviewed.