Work

Comparative clinical impact of low-curvature and normal-curvature titanium mesh in cranioplasty: a retrospective analysis of patient outcomes

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: Objective This study aimed to evaluate the clinical utility of two types of cranioplasty surgery involving low-curvature and normal-curvature titanium mesh, respectively. Methods The clinical data were retrospectively collected from patients undergoing skull defect repair surgery between January 2021 and December 2022. The clinical outcomes associated with the two surgical approaches were compared and analyzed. Results A total of 67 patients who underwent skull defect repair surgery were enrolled, with 22 in the low-curvature titanium mesh group and 45 in the normal-curvature titanium mesh group. Both before and after propensity score matching (PSM) analysis, the hospital stay for the low-curvature titanium mesh group was significantly shorter than that for the normal-curvature mesh group (Before: 9.14 ± 2.64 vs. 12.51 ± 4.15, P = 0.001; After: 9.44 ± 2.83 vs. 12.13 ± 4.40, P = 0.048). The low-curvature group exhibited lower overall hospitalization costs than the normal-curvature group (Before: 23500. ± 900. vs. 24,900. ± 1,100., P < 0.001; After: 23,300. ± 800. vs. 24,100. ± 1,000., P = 0.026). Moreover, satisfaction with molding (Before: 4.23 ± 0.75 vs. 3.18 ± 0.81, P = 0.001; After: 4.13 ± 0.72 vs. 3.25 ± 0.78, P < 0.001), Karnofsky's Performance Status score (Before: 93.32 ± 1.67 vs. 90.38 ± 3.50, P = 0.001; After: 93.56 ± 1.75 vs. 91.00 ± 3.78, P < 0.001), and Quality of Life score (Before: 52.95 ± 2.13 vs. 50.18 ± 3.54, P = 0.001; After: 53.31 ± 2.12 vs. 50.38 ± 4.23, P = 0.001) were significantly higher in the low-curvature titanium mesh group than the normal-curvature titanium mesh group. Conclusions Applying low-curvature titanium mesh for skull repair effectively shortens the hospital stay, reduces overall hospitalization costs,enhances patient satisfaction with surgical modeling, and improves the postoperative functional status and quality of life of patients undergoing neurosurgery. These advantages warrant further clinical promotion.

Source: Frontiers in Surgery

DOI: 10.3389/fsurg.2025.1438307

Authors: Shengkai Yang, Weihua Chen, Hongwei Teng, Lei Zhang, Kangkang Ji, Hai Zhou

Institutions: Kangda College of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing Medical University

Language: English

Topic: Reconstructive Surgery and Microvascular Techniques

Subfield: Surgery

Field: Medicine

Domain: Health Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $3,801