Kochi: Neurosurgeons at the VPS Lakeshore Hospital here have performed a rare artificial skull-scalp implant surgery on a 24-year-old man who had been suffering from head injuries sustained in a road accident about five years ago.
The landmark was accomplished by a team of doctors led by Dr. Arun Oommen, associate consultant, Department of Neurological Surgery.
The patient, Deepak Mohan, had undergone a number of surgeries over the years for the removal of blood clot in his brain caused by the severe blow to the head in the accident. His condition improved, but as surgeons had to open up the skull several times, it left him with scars and deformities in the skull-scalp and forehead.
“We had tried many options including skull-base surgeries to correct the deformities, but nothing worked. It indeed was a huge challenge to consider cosmetic and protective aspects while performing a corrective surgery,” said Dr. Arun.
“It is when we decided on a special type of skull bone implant called PEEK (Polyether Ether Ketone), a method which has made its way into orthopedic surgery recently. The patient’s head was scanned to measure the contour of the broken skull accurately and the details were sent to Switzerland for fabrication of the implant,” he said.
Based on the specified requirements, the laboratory designed the portion of the skull-scalp and sent it to the hospital. The implant has provided the required geometry and precision to obtain appropriate skull and facial reconstruction, the doctor added.
The PEEK method, which requires less time in surgery and provides greater comfort to the patient, was first introduced in 2011. It is quite a routine procedure for neurosurgeons in western countries to treat patients with complicated deformities in their skull.
“The PEEK method has already been proved highly effective, but it is still at a nascent stage in India, mainly due to the high cost of treatment and the difficulties in procuring customized skull-scalp from abroad,” he added.