Tissue expansion for correction of baldness in aplasia cutis congenita

A Case of Large Aplasia Cutis Congenita with Underlying Skull Defect: Effective Surgical Treatment with Integra® Dermal Regeneration Template

INTRODUCTION

Aplasia cutis congenita (ACC) is a rare congenital abnormality characterized by the absence of a portion of skin at birth which most commonly involves the scalp and can affect the galea, the pericranium, the bone, and the dura mater. It can be an isolated condition or associated with other disorders.

CASE REPORT

We present a case of ACC with a large defect of the scalp and the underlying bone treated with the use of Integra® Dermal regeneration template. At 5 months of follow-up, the wound is completely healed and the bony defect greatly reduced. Contraction of the area of alopecia was observed.

DISCUSSION

Several surgical and conservative options have been described to treat this congenital condition: advanced dressing, skin graft, local flaps, free flaps, and other methods. In our case, we used Integra® Dermal templates which provide a barrier for infections, promote cellular activity for a rapid vascularization, and improve healing.

Outcomes of Tissue Expander Application for Scalp Reconstruction in Extensive Aplasia Cutis Congenita

INTRODUCTION

Aplasia cutis congenita (ACC) is a rare congenital disorder. The purpose of this study was to present outcomes of tissue expander application for scalp reconstruction in extensive ACC.

PATIENT/METHODS

In this retrospective study, medical records were reviewed for six patients who underwent serial tissue expander application for scalp reconstruction in ACC between 2000 and 2015. Patient average age was 14.5 (range, 4-25 years). One of the six cases had frontal bone defect, the others had bone and soft tissue defect at the vertex. In the newborn period, all patients have been managed by split-thickness skin grafts without cranioplasty procedures. After grafting and calvarial regeneration, one (or more) sessions of tissue expanders and scalp flap applications were performed for alopecia and soft tissue correction. Radiologic and clinical examination was performed for complications and outcomes.

RESULTS

Computerized tomography showed intact calvarium with patchy hyperostosis in all patients. The mean size of grafted areas was 69.5 cm(2) (range, 32-148.5 cm(2)). Minimal distal flap necrosis (6 × 1 cm) was observed in one patient. Serial scalp tissue expansion was performed with at least one session in a 1-year interval. One expander was extracted due to exposition and infection. No total flap losses and no calvarial defects were observed during follow-up (mean; 8.6 years). Clinical examination revealed acceptable cosmetic results in all patients.

CONCLUSION

We advocate late expander scalp reconstruction for management of extensive ACC cases.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE IV

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Aplasia Cutis Congenita of the Scalp, Composite Type: The Criticality and Inseparability of Neurosurgical and Plastic Surgical Management

BACKGROUND/AIMS

The object of this report is to review the management of patients having the composite type of aplasia cutis congenita in the context of the relevant literature on this condition.

METHODS

Clinical records, neuroimaging and photographic documentation of identified cases of composite type aplasia cutis congenita, with a comprehensive review of the literature, are the material basis of this report.

RESULTS

Two neonates with composite type aplasia cutis congenita are described as examples of this disorder, and their management, including complications, is discussed. Both had satisfactory outcomes.

CONCLUSIONS

Early aggressive surgical management with scalp rotation flaps has a low rate of complications, provides satisfactory functional and esthetic outcome, minimizes hospital stays, and should provide cost-effective care by reduction of the time to secure wound closure. Most bony defects, even large ones, commonly ossify completely. Optimal case management requires a synchronized neurosurgical and plastic surgical team. Intuitive nonsurgical and surgical approaches by the inexperienced can be hazardous.

[The Adams-Oliver syndrome. A case report]

The authors report a case of Adams-Oliver syndrome in an 11 months child. This child was referred to our unit at the age of six months with right hand brachydactyly and alopecia on the vertex. We decided not to treat hand malformations, given the lack of functional impact. Alopecia of the vertex was corrected by tissue expansion of the scalp, with a satisfactory cosmetic result at five months.