In 45 patients who underwent a decompressive craniectomy, we determined bone flap preservation with ethylene oxide and with high- or low-temperature autoclave sterilization.
The bone flap was repositioned after a mean of 10 weeks in the ethylene oxide group and after 6 weeks in the other sterilization groups. A bone flap infection developed in 1 patient (2%), which required removal and subsequent methyl methacrylate cranioplasty. In 1 child, the bone flap had partially reabsorbed after 12 months. In all other patients, esthetic results were good after an average follow-up of 42 months. At follow-up, computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging of the bone flap showed preservation of structural features with apparent fusion and revitalization at the bone flap margins.
Ethylene oxide and high- or low-temperature autoclave bone sterilization techniques for the preservation of autologous bone flaps after decompressive craniectomy were safe, rapid, and inexpensive.