Reconstruction Of Critical Size Defect With Titanium Mesh In Developing Rabbit Calvarium

\n Aim: Defect reconstruction of growing calvarium is still challenging procedure. The materials should provide strength and protection, be lightweight, chemically inert, noncarcinogenic, malleable to enhance aesthetic outcome, nonferrous to allow utilization of magnetic resonance imaging, and osteoconductive and osteogenic. In addition, the benefits of alloplastic material avoid donor site morbidity and provide an unlimited supply. Although an ideal implant is not still defined, titanium mesh is one of the acceptable alternatives. In this study, we evaluated that if titanium mesh implant can be used for reconstruction of defects in growing calvarium and caused a secondary asymetry deformity with rigid or semirigid fixation of implant.

\n Material and Method: 6 week-old 24 New Zealand rabbits were used and divided into four equal groups. First group was normal population group. 15 mm. diameter critical size defects were created on parietal bone of each rabbit in second, third and fourth groups. Second group was decided as sham group for critical size defect. Defects were reconstructed with 0.6 mm. thickness titanium mesh and fixed with 4.0 polypropylene sutur in the third group as semirigid fixation and with 4 mm. long titanium screws as rigid fixation in the fourth group. At the beginning, rabbit calvarias were scanned with cranial CT and 3D reconstructions were created. Experiment finished when rabbits were 18 weeks old. Sacrifisation and cranial CT scan performed and standart photographs were taken for each rabbit in all groups. The length measurements were performed from reference points and comparisons were made between groups.

\n Results: According to 6 week 3D CT measurements, groups were well-balanced. According to 18 week 3D CT measurements there was no statistically difference between groups. Also measurements of defective side and opposite side in each group were not different. 

\n Discussion: We evaluated that the titanium mesh did not cause any deformity in growing calvarium and fixation technique of the mesh did not change the result. So in defects of pediatric calvarium, if reconstruction with autogen bone graft is impossible, reconstruction with titanium mesh can be an acceptable choice.