Titanium 'rose' plate breaking through skin on scalp

[NickF56]

My wife has had several craniotomies for brain tumour. The last was to insert a shunt for hydrocephalus back in 2008. The bone flap was secured with what the surgeon described as a titanium 'rose" which indeed looks like a flattened rose. Problem is that this has broken through the skin on her scalp which is already thin becuase of previous high dose of radiotherapy. This poses a risk of infection. It has been declared by a number of surgeons that the plate can be removed and a skin flap put in place to cover the skin wound.

My question: If the "rose" has been removed what will keep the bone flap secure? Will the bone have knit togther againin the past three years?

[Dr. Kokil Mathur]

Hi
Welcome to the MedHelp forum!
Well, theoretically as surgeons have told you, the titanium plate can be removed. How much the bone flap has healed can only be judged by a surgeon who can examine your wife.
Over three years, yes there will be healing and fibrosis, and the bone flap will regain some strength. However, multiple craniotomies, radiotherapy, chemo and other such treatments will have their long term effects.
Please discuss with her treating doctor. Take care!

[Caryopteris]

These questions are best addressed to the surgeon.  If you want to do some reading on the type of plate that was used, you should find out the real name of the plate, because rose plate is not a useful lead.  

With the correct terminology instead of the layman's terminology, you could use Pogofrog search engine to look for information.