IS PMMA Bone Cement Skull Augmentation Safe And Permanent?

Q: Dr. Eppley, Questions for Dr. Eppley regarding PMMA bone cement for skull augmentation: is it safe and permanent? Are there long term complications associated with its use? Why isn’t this procedure not commonly performed? 

A: While PMMA bone cement for skull augmentation is both safe and permanent, it is an aesthetically inferior technique because of its limitations in volume addition, the need for a long scalp incision for placement and a higher risk of contour irregularities. Custom skull implants are aesthetically superior due to more controlled aesthetic outcomes, less risk of contour irregularities and they are placed through smaller scalp incisions.

Dr. Barry Eppley

Indianapolis, Indiana