THE TIMING OF ALLOPLASTIC CRANIOPLASTY IN THE SETTING OF PREVIOUS OSTEOMYELITIS

BACKGROUND: Management of cranial osteomyelitis is challenging and often includes debridement of infected bone and delayed alloplastic cranioplasty. However, the optimal interval between the removal of infected bone and definitive reconstruction remains controversial. We investigated the optimal time for definitive reconstruction and factors influencing cranioplasty reinfection. METHODS: A retrospective review of 111 alloplastic cranioplasties for osteomyelitis between 2002 and 2015 was performed. Patients were divided into four subgroups based on timing of reconstruction: 1) (12 months). Multivariate logistic regression was used to calculate probability of cranioplasty reinfection based on risk factors. Median follow-up was 45.9 months (range 12.4–136.9). RESULTS: The combined reinfection rate was 23.4%. The reinfection rate in Group 1 was 39.6%, Group 2 12.5%, Group 3 8.0%, and Group 4 0.0% (p

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