Cheng et al identified risk factors for graft infection following cranioplasty. These can help identify a patient who may benefit from closer monitoring and more aggressive management. The authors are from Chang Gung Memorial Hospital and Kaohsiung Medical University in Taiwan.
Risk factors for infection:
(1) multiple operations
(2) short intervals between the operations (< 90 days)
where:
• A short interval between operations may not allow sufficient time to resolve inflammation, remove necrotic tissue and to have tissue healing.
The authors found the polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) was a safe material to use for cranioplasty, even if there was previous infection.
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