Evaluation of the Effect of Cranioplasty Using Different Prosthetic Materials on Functional Improvement in Patients with Post-traumatic Brain Injury: A Protocol

Background: Cranioplasty is considered an essential step for restoring defects in the skull, generally due to the esthetic appearance, safety of the brain, or handling the adverse effect of the Trephined Syndrome (TS) or sinking skin flap syndrome. Moreover, many studies saw the unexpected enhancement of cognitive and motor function after cranioplasty. These favorable progressive effects can be helpful in further therapy preparations in association with cranioplasty effects. Nevertheless, the proof is mainly restricted to case studies that do not target comparison between different materials in post-traumatic brain injury (P-TBI) people even though it is helpful but not enough.

Objectives: To comparatively evaluate the effect of cranioplasty using autologous bone graft, polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA), titanium, and bone cement on cognitive and functional improvement in patients with P-TBI.

Methodology: 40 subjects will be allocated into four groups. Group A (10 using Autologous bone graft) Group B (10 using PMMA), Group C (10 using Titanium), and Group D (10 using Bone cement). Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) and Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) will be used for cognitive improvement. For functional improvement, Muscle power and Barthel index will be used. The data will be compared before and after cranioplasty.

Expected Results: Cognitive and functional improvement will be present after cranioplasty. But the effect of cranioplasty using autologous bone graft, polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA), titanium, and bone cement has to be evaluated & compared to assess the patient’s cognitive and functional improvement and provide desired intervention as required.

Conclusion: This study will comparatively evaluate the effect of cranioplasty using different prosthetic materials and determine which material is better for patients' cognitive and functional improvement.