New reconstructive technologies in skull base surgery: role of titanium mesh and porous polyethylene.

OBJECTIVE: To report on 8 years of experience with 156 titanium mesh and porous polyethylene implants used for craniofacial reconstruction after skull base surgery in 100 patients.

DESIGN: Cohort study with a mean follow-up of 5 years.

SETTING: Population based.

PATIENTS: A consecutive sample of 100 patients treated for skull base tumors or craniofacial trauma who underwent reconstruction with 156 3-dimensional titanium mesh and/or porous polyethylene implants. A retrospective review of the Skull Base Program database, along with photographic and imaging documentation, was undertaken.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Rate of complications as well as the degree of functional and esthetic reconstruction.

INTERVENTION: The reconstructive technique focused primarily on the substitution of removed craniofacial skeleton for oncologic reasons or soft tissue defects.

RESULTS: After completion of follow-up (mean, 5 years), all 100 patients remained healed except for 7 patients (7%) with 8 implants (5%). Overall, excellent craniofacial symmetry and stability were achieved with both types of implants.

CONCLUSIONS: Immediate craniofacial skeletal reconstruction and soft tissue augmentation is feasible with 3-dimensional titanium mesh and porous polyethylene implants. The reviewed 8-year evolution in the use of these technologies (156 implants in 100 patients) highlights the excellent tolerance of these implants (5% implant complication rate) in 100 patients (7% complication rate). The few encountered complications were judged to be primarily related to the quality of the overlying soft tissue and not to the implants themselves. The advantages of using these implants for immediate 3-dimensional skeletal and soft tissue substitution, including availability, easy contouring, stability, primary healing, and tolerance of adjuvant therapy, translate to an improved function and esthetic appearance, with a better quality of life for patients.