Bone formation in custom-made cranioplasty: evidence of early and sustained bone development in bioceramic calcium phosphate implants. Patient series.

Background: Implant failure (IF) rates in cranioplasty remain high despite efforts to reduce the incidence. New biomaterials may be part of the solution for this problem. Formation of autologous bone in implants may reduce rates of infection and subsequent failure.

Observations: Four patients with calcium phosphate implants supported by titanium mesh and undergoing surgery for reasons unrelated to IF were included in this series. Samples from the implants were microscopically examined. Pathological studies proved the formation of autologous bone in the calcium phosphate implants.

Lessons: Bone and blood vessel formation in the implants and diminished foreign body reaction to autologous bone may reduce the rates of IF.