Cranioplasty with split-thickness calvarial bone.

Cranioplasty with autogenous split-thickness calvarial bone was performed in 10 patients. Follow-up for a mean of 19 months (range 2-43 mos) showed satisfactory protection of the brain and cosmetic reconstruction. No serious complication was seen except in one patient with postoperative epidural abscess. Split-thickness calvarial bone graft is recommended in patients with previous infection or high risk of infection, in poorly vascularized recipient sites resulting from multiple operations or irradiation, and in younger patients aged more than 7 years.