repair of a defect of the skull using material from elsewhere; cranioplasty may be done using metal mesh or plates, molded plastic, bone from elsewhere in the body, or other materials.

The operative repair of a defect of the skull.

Cranioplasty is a surgical repair of a defect or deformity of a skull. Cranioplasty is almost as ancient as trephination, yet its fascinating history has been neglected. There is strong evidence that Incan surgeons were performing cranioplasty using precious metals and gourds.