Ten-Year Outcomes after Catcher's Mask Cranioplasty for Large Cranial Bone Defects in Children: A Report of Two Cases

Abstract

SUMMARY: Cranioplasty is complicated in children with severe, extensive head trauma because allografting is not advisable in pediatric patients and the amount of available autologous materials is limited. To overcome these problems, Takumi reported a novel procedure called "catcher's mask cranioplasty" in 2008, in which split-rib grafts are placed perpendicularly over each other while calvarial grafts are placed in the hairless forehead region. Despite the small amount of grafts used, this method can yield esthetically satisfactory results and provides excellent structural integrity. Here, we report 2 cases of catcher's mask cranioplasty and their long-term outcomes. After more than 10 years, the transplanted bone grafts have not resorbed and have maintained their esthetically pleasing contours. In conclusion, catcher's mask cranioplasty is an effective option for traumatic cranial defects in children.