AI-assisted prostheses manufacturing for cranioplasties in low-income countries. A case report and technique description

Abstract

Cranioplasty restores skull integrity after decompressive craniectomy, but high costs limit access in low-resource settings. This case highlights an artificial intelligence (AI)-assisted design method for a low-cost, patient-specific cranial prosthesis. A 15-year-old male with a traumatic brain injury and left intraparenchymal hematoma underwent cranioplasty complicated by infection and necrosis. A second procedure obtained positive outcomes using a custom AI-designed prosthesis generated from computed tomography imaging, 3D modeling, and polymethylmethacrylate fabrication. AI-enabled modeling ensured precise anatomical fit, reducing intraoperative adjustments and overcoming limitations of manual techniques. This approach enhances surgical outcomes and prosthesis accessibility in resource-limited settings. AI improves the design of cranial prostheses, lowering costs and production time. Its application could be cost-effective, especially in low-resource settings.

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