Experimental Osteoplastic Cranioplasty with the Irradiated Homograft

Cranioplasty with homologous grafts was experimentally studied in the dog. Fresh and frozen-irradiated homologous bone flaps about 23 mm in diameter were comparatively studied. Each graft was examined at 3, 6, and 12 months after surgery. The irradiated grafts were penetrated by regenerating blood vessels and new bone matrix was formed around the revascularized Haversian canals; cellular infiltration and fibrotic changes were minimal in this group. Fresh grafts were only poorly vascularized and gave rise to massive fibrotic proliferations which finally lead to sequestration of the implants in some of the cases.