Clinical utility of allogeneic skull discs in human craniotomy.

One hundred fifteen burr hole defects were filled with sterilized human cadaver skull in 45 patients ranging in age between 10 and 88 years. One to 6 allogeneic skull discs per patient were placed in all areas of the calvaria. The length of postoperative observation ranges between 6 months and 5 years. No instances of infection, resorption, or rejection have occurred. Discs became incorporated and were osteoconductive, with new bone formed by "creeping substitution." In contrast to frozen autogeneic skull, these allogeneic discs were not resorbed. Allogeneic skull may be used safely and effectively to fill small discontinuity defects in the human calvaria.