is Skull Replacement surgery normal? or does it have a high risky potential?

My girlfriend's little brother (12 years old) got a serious traumatic brain injury about 40 days ago. Part of his parietal bones were removed to relieve brain swelling. And his surgeon suggested him to take another surgery in order to replace the missing skull with titanium plate. Does anyone know whether this kind of Skull Replacement surgery is risky or not? We live in China, and are considering to send him to a hospital in US or Europe where he can get a better treatment if this surgery is too risky.

Thanks in advance!

btw, does anyone here know the difference between Titanium and Ceramic as material for skull replacement?

[rumpled]

There are risks with every surgery - most of them are with anesthesia and infection. There is a reason to cover the skull - the reason why the bone is there in the first place, to protect the brain. So that surgery has been around for a while. I have not heard of ceramic being used.

As long as the surgeon is experienced, he should be fine. Travel with the head open and swelling may be iffy so I would ask. The purpose of the surgery is protection.

[Dr. Kokil Mathur]

Hi
Welcome to the MedHelp forum!
All skull injuries are surgeries on brain and skull can be dangerous. So also shifting a patient cross country. You need to consult the doctors in both countries to know whether you can shift him or not. Also it is normal to replace skull bones with titanium implants. I am not aware of ceramic implants being used. Titanium wires are at times used to put back the original parietal bones if preserved well. I think you should discuss these possibilities with your treating doctor. It is difficult to comment beyond this on net. Please let me know if there is any thing else and do keep me posted. Take care!

[selmaS]

Hi....there r several other conditions where these titanium plates r used after brain surgery...the only issue is if his body rejects the plate.

See if the drs can test him prior to surgery to see how his system will accept the plate....

Good luck
"selma"