Evaluation of bone excision on occipital area of simulated human skull

Surgical effects of bone and soft tissue tumours, whether for biopsy or full excision have been researched from as early as the 1970’s [1]. These researches though have as main focus the biological (histological) rather the mechanical aspects of the effects [2]. With technological advances in biomedical and biomechanical modelling, a plethora of researchers have been exploring the possibilities of understanding [3] or even predicting musculoskeletal behaviour under different loading conditions [4]. This research is seeking to bridge these two different facets by looking into the mechanical effects bone tumour surgery might have to the structural rigidity of a simulated human skull.