Help Doctor Joshua! Post Craniotomy defect - temporal fossa depression

[andyjm1983]

Hi Doctor Joshua

please can you give me some advice, Im having a second cranioplasty operation in a few months to fill a defect which I was left with after a tumor removal in 1999 when I was 16. In May last year ( o6) I had a titanium plate fitted to the side of my skull but this has not made much difference to the defect around my left temporal part of my skull.
The surgeons have now told me that they can try once more using a cement, is this cement successful? I can send a pic and show you my defect and see what you think.
I am also considering paying for the operationand not having it on the NHS( uk national health service) if i can be guranteed a good results.
Can you give me your advice.

[Purple98Lady]

Hello and welcome andyjm1983,

Funny you should post this just days after I watched on the medical channel this same thing you speak of. The gentleman they showed had a large indention in his skull and it showed the surgeons going in and applying this white cement over some mess and actually building and molding a more uniform skull shape. His outcome was unbelieveable, his head was actually much improved and he was very pleased. I'm not a DR and I don't know of the complications or long term issues but I was amazed and so was this patient. Good Luck to you and let us know. :)

Purple98Lady

[andyjm1983]

Thanks Purple lady :) I will keep you informed, I was wondering if Doctor Joshua has done this type of surgery? Hopefully this time when the surgeons use the cement it will fill it in because I had a titanium plate fitted to the side of my skull in may 06 and i think the surgeons were hoping that the plate would push the muscle or fat back intowards the defect etc but this hasnt happened. I spoke to my hospital and they have told me its going to be around march time when they operate again.
If I could be guranteed by a surgeon that he/she can sort it out then Im willing to pay and even go abroad to have it done. With me already having 1 cranioplasty op in may 06 I dont think I can have too many more due to healing of the scar etc.

[Dr. Joshua]

Hi Andy, thanks for your question. Here's the link to my answer:
http://askdoctorjoshua.com/2007/01/19/cosmetic-surgery-repair-for-craniotomy-defect/

[andyjm1983]

Thanks doctor, really appreciate your advice, I think its great that you give people free advice through the web. It does help alot being able to speak to someone like yourself thats experienced in these situations.

[Dr. Joshua]

Keep us posted Andy!