Reconstruction of Valular Bones Defects Using CAD/CAM Technology at the Stage of Rehabilitation: State of the Problem

The number of victims with difficult defects of the skull bones, which should restore the integrity of the skull is growing annually, both in connection with the increase in severe traumatic brain injury (TBI), and in connection with the expansion of indications for decompressive craniotomy not only in traumatic brain injury, but also vascular disease, neuro-Oncology for the relief of hypertension-dislocation syndrome. Cranioplasty at the stage of early rehabilitation of patients after decopressive craniotomy is an important condition for effective rehabilitation measures. Currently, titanium, polyether ethyl ketone (PEEK), polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) and hydroxyapatite are actively used as the material for the implant. Unfortunately, none of the synthetic materials used meet the conditions of the «perfect implant» by 100%. CAD/CAM 3D printing technologies are used to achieve absolute accuracy of the implant that replicates the missing part of the patient’s skull bone, which is especially important in the presence of extensive and complex defects. The use of this technology at the preoperative stage directly in the medical institution where the cranioplasty will be performed avoids additional logistics, reduces the time from the patient’s admission to the hospital before the operation and reduces the cost of manufacturing implants, making them more accessible to healthcare institutions. also, the absence of the need for intraoperative implant adjustment significantly reduces the operation time, reduces the risk of infectious complications and complications associated with prolonged general anesthesia. The favorable course of the postoperative period allows you to resume rehabilitation activities on the third or fourth day after cranioplasty.