Plastic Surgery Involvement Reduces Cranioplasty Complications.

Cohort studyThe Journal of craniofacial surgery· May 2026

Plastic Surgery Involvement Reduces Cranioplasty Complications.

Cynthia R Guo, Nidhi Shinde, Rhea Rasquinha … Albert S Woo

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Craniofacial & CleftCohort studyQ2IF 1.1

Plastic surgery involvement linked to lower odds of fluid collection after cranioplasty

Plastic Surgery Involvement Reduces Cranioplasty Complications.

Cynthia R Guo … Albert S Woo

The Journal of craniofacial surgery · May 2026 · Q2 in Surgery

Background

Cranioplasty is commonly performed after decompressive craniectomy to provide structural protection of the cerebrum and restore cosmesis.

Methods

A retrospective chart review was conducted examining all cranioplasty procedures performed over 10 years at a single institution.

Results

plastic surgery involvement lowered odds of fluid buildup after cranioplasty

OR 0.42 (95% CI 0.19 to 0.86)

CI excludes the null - significant

More results

Three hundred four (83.5%) were primary procedures (first reconstruction after craniectomy) and 60 (16.5%) were revisional procedures.

More results

Greater impact was found for secondary procedures, where plastic and reconstructive surgeons involvement had significantly lower odds of any complication (OR: 0.19, CI: 0.04-0.99, P=0.049), return to operating room (OR: 0.14, CI: 0.03-0.75, P=0.022), and pseudomeningocele (OR: 0.12, CI: 0.02-0.74, P=0.022).

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Conclusion · 1 of 2

In this single-institution study, plastic and reconstructive surgeons involvement was found to significantly improve postoperative outcomes for both primary and secondary cranioplasties, particularly in reducing development of extra-axial fluid collections, pseudomeningocele, and unplanned reoperation.

Conclusion · 2 of 2

Further investigation with multi-institutional data is warranted.

Plastic Surgery Involvement Reduces Cranioplasty Complications.

Plastic Surgery Involvement Reduces Cranioplasty Complications.

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