Filters
Cost of Cranioplasty in Major cities of Lithuania
Need Help Planning Your Treatment Abroad?
Your 24/7 AI Health Assistant 
Cranioplasty is a surgery where doctors repair a missing or damaged part of the skull. This may happen after an injury, brain swelling, or a previous brain surgery. The hole or weak spot in the skull is covered using the patient’s bone (if it was saved) or special materials, such as titanium, ceramic, or 3D-printed parts, made to fit perfectly.
The surgery is usually planned a few weeks or months after the first brain operation, once the swelling has gone down. Fixing the skull helps protect the brain, restores the head's normal appearance, and can even improve brain functions such as thinking, speaking, or moving more effectively.
During the surgery, doctors gently lift the scalp, carefully place the implant, and then close the skin with stitches. Recovery takes time. The person may need to rest frequently, attend therapy sessions, and visit the doctor regularly to ensure everything is healing correctly.
Cranioplasty is performed to repair a defect or deformity in the skull following trauma, brain surgery (e.g., decompressive craniectomy), congenital malformations, or tumor removal.It restores the protective barrier of the brain, improves cosmetic appearance, and can enhance neurological function.In some patients, it also alleviates symptoms like headaches, dizziness, or motor deficits linked to “syndrome of the trephined.”
See a neurosurgeon if you have a visible skull defect or have undergone a previous craniectomy. Consultation is advised if you experience neurological symptoms, localized pain, or psychological distress related to the skull deformity. Timely cranioplasty (usually 3–6 months post-craniectomy) is essential for optimal brain protection and functional recovery.
Preparation includes CT scans of the skull to assess the size and shape of the cranial defect. Blood tests and anesthetic risk evaluations are performed. If a synthetic implant is planned (e.g., PEEK, titanium), a custom 3D model may be created. Patients must stop anticoagulants and fast before surgery.
Under general anaesthesia, the scalp is opened, and the defect is exposed. A bone flap (preserved or artificial) is placed and fixed using plates and screws. Implants can be autologous (patient’s own bone), alloplastic (custom-made), or pre-fabricated biomaterials like titanium or PMMA. Wound is closed, and a drain may be placed to reduce fluid accumulation.
Cranioplasty usually takes 1.5 to 3 hours, depending on the size and complexity of the skull defect. Hospital stay ranges from 3 to 7 days, with monitoring for infection, swelling, or neurological changes. Recovery starts shortly after surgery, especially in cases with functional improvement.
- Infection at surgical site or implant
- Hematoma or fluid buildup
- Seizures or neurological worsening
- Implant rejection or fracture
- Cosmetic asymmetry or wound healing problems
- Protects the brain and prevents further injury
- Improves cognitive, motor, or psychological symptoms (in some cases)
- Restores skull shape and cosmetic appearance
- May reduce symptoms of “sinking flap syndrome”
- Enhances overall quality of life and self-esteem
Patients rest with head elevation, and incision care is critical. Stitches or staples are removed in 7–14 days. Gradual return to daily activities is expected within 2–4 weeks. Neurological rehab may continue based on underlying condition. CT imaging is often repeated to verify implant position.
Cranioplasty has a high success rate of 90–95%, particularly for cosmetic and protective goals. Functional improvement varies by patient, but many report better mental clarity, motor control, and symptom relief. Customized materials and advances in neurosurgical technique have improved both safety and outcomes.
Would you like some help? We are available.
Get Help Explore Hospitals ( 1 )
Meliva Kardiolita Hospital, Vilnius
Vilnius, Lithuania
Kardiolita Hospital, Vilnius located in Vilnius, Lithuania is accredited by JCI. Also listed below are some of the most prominent infrastructural details:
- An outpatient department, 56-beds for inpatients
- 13 advanced operation theatres
- 24-hour intensive care unit
- Emergency Department
- Gynecology Center
- Vascular Center
- ENT Center
- Neurology Center
- General and Abdominal Surgery Center
- The staff also takes care of your air travel and pick & drop facility
Need Some Advice From Our Experts?
Request a Call Back Now!
Our team of healthcare experts would be happy to assist you
+99Process Involved for Cranioplasty in Vilnius
- First Doctor Visit: The doctor will review your health history and take special images (such as CT or MRI scans) of your skull to determine what needs to be addressed.
- Preparing for Surgery: Before surgery, you will undergo various tests. The doctor who will administer the anaesthesia (sleep-inducing medication) during the surgery will explain what will happen.
- The Surgery: You will be asleep during the surgery. The doctor will remove the damaged part of your skull and fix it using your bone or a special material like metal.
- Recovering in the Hospital: After surgery, you will stay in the hospital for a few days. Doctors and nurses will help you feel comfortable and check for any pain or problems.
- Healing at Home: After you leave the hospital, it is essential to rest and follow your doctor’s instructions. You might need to take it easy for a while. It could take weeks or months to feel fully better.
- Follow-up Visits: You will return to the doctor to ensure everything is healing correctly. The doctor may take additional scans to assess the progress of your skull's recovery.
- Skull Defects: Cranioplasty is used to close holes or gaps in the skull that result from injuries, previous surgeries, or certain health conditions.
- Traumatic Brain Injury: After a serious head injury, parts of the skull may need to be removed to relieve pressure on the brain. Cranioplasty helps reconstruct the skull once the brain has healed.
- Cranial Deformities: This procedure corrects abnormal skull shapes caused by congenital disabilities or injuries.
- Brain Tumours: If part of the skull is removed during surgery to treat a brain tumour, cranioplasty is performed afterwards to restore the skull’s structure.
- Infections: Severe infections, such as osteomyelitis, can cause damage to the skull, and cranioplasty helps repair this damage and protect the brain.
- Congenital Malformations: Cranioplasty can correct skull abnormalities present from birth.
- Aneurysms: After surgery to treat a brain aneurysm, cranioplasty is used to repair the skull and ensure it remains protective of the brain.
- Pre-Surgical Planning: Doctors review CT or MRI scans to assess the skull defect and design a custom implant if needed.
- Anaesthesia Administration: The patient is given general anaesthesia to stay asleep and pain-free during the surgery.
- Scalp Incision: The surgeon carefully opens the scalp over the area where the skull is missing or damaged.
- Implant Insertion: The missing skull part is replaced using a preserved bone flap or a synthetic implant (such as titanium or ceramic), which is securely fixed in place.
- Securing the Implant: The implant is held in place using medical plates, screws, or other surgical materials.
- Closure: The scalp is gently repositioned and closed with stitches or staples.
- Post-surgery monitoring: The patient is closely monitored in a recovery room, with vital signs and brain activity continuously assessed.
- Craniectomy
- Decompression
- Neurorehabilitation
- Skull Reconstruction
- Imaging
- Improved Appearance: Helps restore the shape and symmetry of the skull.
- Protection: Offers enhanced protection for the brain following a traumatic injury or surgery.
- Enhanced Function: Can improve neurological function by reducing pressure on the brain.
- Pain Relief: Reduces discomfort caused by the skull defect.
- Psychological Improvement: Enhances self-esteem and mental well-being through improved physical appearance.
- Prevention of Complications: Helps prevent further brain injury and complications related to the exposed brain.
False
- Please complete the form to provide us with relevant information about your condition.
- Consult with Our Healthcare Expert: One of our qualified specialists will contact you for a consultation.
- Receive a Detailed Treatment Plan: After examining your situation, we will provide you with a detailed treatment plan that includes expert opinions and a cost breakdown for various options.
- Select your preferred option: Choose the therapy option that best suits your needs.
- Seamless Organisation: We will manage all the details, including visas, flights, accommodations, and transfers, for a stress-free journey.
