Reading as
Plain-language core. Switch lenses to reveal technical or purchasing detail.
All topics
  1. What it is
  2. Why it matters
  3. Timing
  4. The procedure
  5. Patient journey
  6. Recovery supplies
  7. Implant materials
  8. Side-by-side
  9. US manufacturers
  10. What the evidence says
  11. Value analysis
  12. Questions to ask
  13. Glossary
  14. Resources
  15. References

How

The procedure, step by step

Details vary by surgeon and hospital, but most cranioplasties follow the same general path.

  1. Imaging and evaluationA CT scan of the head shows the size and shape of the defect. The team checks that the scalp has healed, that there is no infection, and whether fluid buildup (hydrocephalus) needs attention first.
  2. Choosing the reconstructionThe surgeon decides between the patient's stored bone flap and a manufactured implant. Manufactured implants come either as stock material shaped during surgery or as a patient-specific implant designed in advance from the CT scan.
  3. Implant design (if patient-specific)Engineers convert the CT into a 3D model and design an implant that matches the missing contour, usually by mirroring the healthy side. The surgeon reviews and approves the design before it is made.
  4. SurgeryUnder general anesthesia, the surgeon reopens the previous incision, gently separates the scalp from the protective layer over the brain (the dura), and exposes the bone edges around the defect.
  5. Fitting and fixationThe implant or bone flap is placed into the defect and secured to the surrounding skull, typically with small plates and screws. The scalp is then closed in layers, sometimes with a temporary drain.
  6. RecoveryMost patients stay in the hospital for a short period for monitoring, and many have a follow-up CT. The care team watches the wound for healing and signs of infection over the following weeks.
Value analysis

Patient-specific implants require pre-operative imaging transfer, a design review, and manufacturing lead time, so scheduling and case-approval workflows matter. Stock or hand-shaped options avoid lead time but shift fitting work into the operating room.