Ultrasound-aided fixation of a biodegradable cranial fixation system: Sonicweld Rx® system in pediatric neurosurgery

Masaki Koh*, Takuya Akai, Daina Kashiwazaki, Naoki Akioka, Takahiro Tomita, Shoichi Nagai, Satoshi Kuroda

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

1 Scopus citations

Abstract

PURPOSE: Ultrasound-aided fixation of a biodegradable cranial fixation system called SonicWeld Rx®, has been widely applied in the fields of craniofacial surgery and plastic surgery. However, there are few reports that denote its use in the field of neurosurgery. This study aimed to evaluate the usefulness of SonicWeld Rx® system in pediatric neurosurgery. METHODS: This study included 11 pediatric patients (10 boys, 1 girl), who underwent craniotomy for moyamoya disease, brain tumor, and arachnoid cyst. Their mean age was 6.4 years, ranging from 4 to 10 years. LactoSorb® system was applied in 6 patients and SonicWeld Rx® system in 5. RESULTS: The time required for screw fixation was significantly shorter in the SonicWeld group (6.5 ± 1.4 sec) than in the LactoSorb group (13.4 ± 2.8 sec), with p<0.05. The quality of fixation strength was adequate in both groups. There were no perioperative complications related to the absorbable fixation device. A 3-D skull CT detected no malposition of the bone flap 3 months postoperatively. There were no scalp complications noted for an average of 21 months. CONCLUSION: SonicWeld Rx® system can be easy and useful in fixing the bone flap to the cranium in the field of pediatric neurosurgery.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)379-384
Number of pages6
JournalNeurological Surgery
Volume46
Issue number5
StatePublished - 2018/05

Keywords

  • Biodegradable osteosynthetic materials
  • Complication
  • Cranioplasty
  • Pediatric neurosurgery

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Surgery
  • Clinical Neurology

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