Author Topic: Skull replacement-bone cement or titanium mesh  (Read 7925 times)

dulshaniko7

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Skull replacement-bone cement or titanium mesh
« on: June 26, 2013, 10:28:04 am »
Hi...
 im from sri lanka, 3 years ago i had a brain hemorrhage so doctors remove my skull just about the left ear...itz about 10cm square.
Here in Sri lanka Doctors have 2 options for replacing the hole.
1- Bone cement (they filled the hole with cement)
2-Titanium mesh (double the cost than cement)

I cant decide what to do.Is any one used bone cement before?

I read about titanium mesh in other post here..

Please can any one give me a advice, I m desperate 

Thanks in advance
 
 

Mei Mei

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Re: Skull replacement-bone cement or titanium mesh
« Reply #1 on: June 26, 2013, 10:02:45 pm »
Why can't they use the skull bone and put it back in place so that they don't need to use too much artificial.  I had bone cement painted onto my  Titanium mesh two years after the surgery to try to help prevent the pain on the dura.   It didn't help me because I have an allergy to the Ti alloy...the nickel in the mesh.   Some people are allergic to the bone cement and some to the nickel .   You should discuss this with the doctor.   Do you have confidence in this doctor?   Can you go to Thailand or Singapore?
Mei Mei
1 cm Tumor RetrosigmoidSurgery on Jan 12 at Johns Hopkins
Drs. Niparko and Tamargo
35dB loss pre surgery and now SSD
Post surgical Headaches and Tinnitus
Dr Ducic Georgetown Excision Surgery May 2011
Dr. Schwartz GW  Titanium Mesh  March 2012
Drs Kalhorn/Baker, Georgetown Removal of Titanium Mesh

dulshaniko7

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Re: Skull replacement-bone cement or titanium mesh
« Reply #2 on: June 27, 2013, 12:50:59 am »
Thanks for the reply

They didnt keep my skull bone at the time of surgery..So i have to replace the hole with something.
Sri lankan Doctors are quite good actually.So I dont see a reason to go abroad.Also i'm still a student so I cant afford that much.
80% of Sri lankan Doctors are recommending the Bone cement but the Surgeon who did my former surgery told my dad about titanium mesh....

Im still confusing   

Mei Mei

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Re: Skull replacement-bone cement or titanium mesh
« Reply #3 on: June 27, 2013, 04:25:52 pm »
I really feel for you.   I am here in Denver, CO at an allergy hospital to get testing for the nickel in the mesh that has been hurting and disrupting my life since the surgery.  I am not a doctor but the thought of cadaver bone comes to mind here.   Maybe you will be OK with the mesh or the bone cement.   I have many allergies and am not like everyone else.  I wish I could be of more help to you.    Can they do a blood test there for the allergies to Nickel.   At least then you will have more information on which to make your  decision.
Sincerely,
Mei Mei
1 cm Tumor RetrosigmoidSurgery on Jan 12 at Johns Hopkins
Drs. Niparko and Tamargo
35dB loss pre surgery and now SSD
Post surgical Headaches and Tinnitus
Dr Ducic Georgetown Excision Surgery May 2011
Dr. Schwartz GW  Titanium Mesh  March 2012
Drs Kalhorn/Baker, Georgetown Removal of Titanium Mesh

alabamajane

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Re: Skull replacement-bone cement or titanium mesh
« Reply #4 on: June 27, 2013, 08:34:41 pm »
Hi, just a note to say I did have some sort of cement used after my surgery,, not sure if it is same kind, but I have not had any problems whatsoever with it,, I have seen posts here of some people that have had problems with the mesh, but I don't have any first-hand information on it..

As I remember , my opening was closer to 5-6cm and fat was taken from my abdomen to "fill" hole first,,as is the case with most if not all surgeries done over here, then the cement used to close,,, I would have to look more closely at medical notes to see if I could determine just what was used,, but I do remember Dr telling me what he would be using,,

Good luck with your decision ,,,if current Drs recommend the cement, I believe that would help me make up my mind,,, but that is just my opinion,,, and I'm not a Dr,, but have been in similar situation,, let us know how you do,, we care,,, best wishes,, Jane
translab Oct 27, 2011
facial nerve graft Oct 31,2011, eyelid weight removed Oct 2013, eye closes well

BAHA surgery Oct. 2014, activated Dec. 26

dulshaniko7

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Re: Skull replacement-bone cement or titanium mesh
« Reply #5 on: July 09, 2013, 06:51:42 am »
Thanks both of you....

Mei Mei

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Re: Skull replacement-bone cement or titanium mesh
« Reply #6 on: July 09, 2013, 03:33:40 pm »
My allergy testing in Denver showed I was very allergic to Titanium and Nickel .    I showed no allergy to Bone cement.
Let us know how you do.
Sincerely,
Mei Mei
1 cm Tumor RetrosigmoidSurgery on Jan 12 at Johns Hopkins
Drs. Niparko and Tamargo
35dB loss pre surgery and now SSD
Post surgical Headaches and Tinnitus
Dr Ducic Georgetown Excision Surgery May 2011
Dr. Schwartz GW  Titanium Mesh  March 2012
Drs Kalhorn/Baker, Georgetown Removal of Titanium Mesh