Prevention and treatment of wide scar and alopecia in the scalp: wedge excision and double relaxation suture

Additional Relaxing Suturing Using Absorbable Symmetric Barbed Sutures to Help Close Scalp Defects

Closing a scalp wound with skin defects is challenging because the scalp skin lacks extensibility and closing it tends to result in a remarkable, widespread, hairless scar. Absorbable symmetric barbed suture device (Stratafix Symmetric; Ethicon, USA) allows wound closure using a pulling motion alone and provides a strong and secure closure for the high-tension area. We used this device to close wide scalp defects easily without tension and with minimized sequential scalp alopecia. The aim of this study was to show our experiences with using this technique. From January 2017 to March 2019, our relaxing suture technique was performed in 7 pediatric patients with scalp alopecia due to various lesions that ranged 23.0 ± 6.5 mm. After resecting the lesions, the galea was sutured using the 3-0 absorbable symmetric barbed suture via a running subcutaneous suture technique. The widespread wound edges were approximated by pulling the suture device. Wound closure was completed with galeal suturing and a superficial suture. We evaluated the width of the postoperative hairless scar at the final follow-up. In all 7 patients, we could approximate the widespread wound edges by pulling alone. Subsequently, the wounds could be closed without tension or difficulty. The mean width of the postoperative hairless scar was 3.3 ± 0.8 mm (range: 1.9–4.3 mm), and no complication was detected during the follow-up period. Our new relaxing suture technique using an absorbable barbed suture with symmetric anchors is a supportive and additional way to help close scalp defects.

Multiplane Forehead Shortening: Sparing the Frontalis Muscle and Supraorbital Nerve

BACKGROUND

An appropriate forehead-to-face ratio is an important factor contributing to a balanced and attractive face. Conventional methods have been used to correct long forehead, but these methods have drawbacks. The primary objective of this study was to introduce a modified technique with better results.

METHODS

Between March of 2015 and March of 2017, 525 patients with long forehead underwent multiplane forehead shortening with sparing of the frontalis muscle and supraorbital nerve. The operation began with a design indicating the area of skin excision. The sensory nerves were preserved during the skin excision, and the frontalis muscle was not cut. Subgaleal dissection was performed through a small window on the galea. The postoperative assessments included the change in forehead length, sensory changes on the scalp, the presence of a scar, alopecia, and synchronous movement of the flap.

RESULTS

A mean forehead shortening of 2.0 cm (range, 1.1 to 2.8 cm) was observed. Sensory deficits were observed only in the anteromedian scalp, which the supratrochlear nerve innervates. However, sensation recovered to the normal level within 6 months. Scars were barely visible or not visible at all in 85.5 percent of the patients. Postoperative alopecia occurred in only two cases. The synchronous movement of the forehead and scalp was natural in all cases.

CONCLUSION

This modified technique of multiplane forehead shortening with sparing the frontalis muscle and supraorbital nerve provided both cosmetic and functional benefits.

CLINICAL QUESTION/LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Therapeutic, IV.

Minimizing complications associated with coronal approach by application of various modifications in surgical technique for treating facial trauma: A prospective study

Background:

Coronal incision is a popular and versatile surgical approach to the anterior cranial vault and upper and middle third facial skeleton. The flap itself permits widespread exposure of the fractures in this region. The bicoronal flap was first described by Hartley and Kenyon (neurosurgeons) to gain access to the anterior cranium in 1907. It extension as an access flap to the upper and lateral aspect of the face was pioneered by Tessier (1971). Esthetically, it is pleasing as the surgical scar is hidden within the hair.

Aims:

To evaluate the versatility of coronal incision using various modifications advocated in incision, exposure to fractured site, and closure of flap in treating the upper and middle third facial fractures.

Materials and Methods:

A total of ten patients diagnosed with upper and middle third facial fractures requiring open reduction and internal fixation/correction of contour defect were selected after preoperative clinical and radiographic (computed tomography scan) evaluation. All the cases were operated by coronal approach to gain the access to the fracture/defect site for reduction/correction of the defect. Advantages and complication are evaluated.

Results:

Excellent access and anatomical reduction by this approach with least number of complications; if it is performed with healthy knowledge of anatomy of the scalp and temporal region. Certain minimal complications have also been noted using various modifications used in the procedure.

Conclusion:

Despite of prolonged surgical time for the exposure, it is very advantages in treating upper and middle third facial fractures due to wide access and discreet scar (minimal).

Zigzag skin incision effectively camouflages the scar and alopecia for moyamoya disease: technical note

Moyamoya disease is commonly diagnosed in children, and requires various vascular reconstruction to improve symptoms. Therefore, scar widening and hair loss after craniotomy, which sometimes occurs in this disease, are serious problems for patients. A variety of plastic surgical techniques in scalp have been reported to minimize the scar widening and hair loss. However, any neurosurgical reports describing this purpose have never been published for moyamoya disease. The objective of this study was to investigate whether these plastic surgical techniques could be applied to bypass surgery without any compromise of vascular reconstruction for moyamoya disease. We performed direct and indirect vascular reconstruction in six hemispheres of moyamoya disease patients not only in the middle cerebral artery territory but also in the anterior cerebral artery territory. The scalp incision was designed not parallel to the hair stream, and the bevelled incision was conducted not to jeopardize the hair follicles. The scar and hair loss were effectively camouflaged throughout the postoperative period in all cases. This study demonstrates that our design of scalp incision achieve effective vascular reconstruction and obscure the scar and hair loss.

Vascularized bipedicled pericranial flaps for reconstruction of chronic scalp ulcer occurring after cranioplasty

BACKGROUND

Intractable chronic scalp ulcers with cranial bone exposure can occur along the incision after cranioplasty, posing challenges for clinicians. They occur as a result of severe scarring, poor blood circulation of the scalp, and focal osteomyelitis. We successfully repaired these scalp ulcers using a vascularized bipedicled pericranial flap after complete debridement.

METHODS

Six patients who underwent cranioplasty had chronic ulcers where the cranial bone, with or without the metal plate, was exposed along the incision line. After completely excising the ulcer and the adjacent scar tissue, subgaleal dissection was performed. We removed the osteomyelitic calvarial bone, the exposed metal plate, and granulation tissue. A bipedicled pericranial flap was elevated to cover the defect between the bone graft or prosthesis and the normal cranial bone. It was transposed to the defect site and fixed using an absorbable suture. Scalp flaps were bilaterally advanced after relaxation incisions on the galea, and were closed without tension.

RESULTS

All the surgical wounds were completely healed with an improved aesthetic outcome, and there were no notable complications during a mean follow-up period of seven months.

CONCLUSIONS

A bipedicled pericranial flap is vascularized, prompting wound healing without donor site morbidity. This may be an effective modality for treating chronic scalp ulcer accompanied by the exposure of the cranial bone after cranioplasty.

An aesthetically possible alternative approach for craniomaxillofacial trauma: the "pretrichial incision"

Frontal sinus and supraorbital rim fractures are common in facial trauma patients. Coronal incision is the standard approach for surgical management of these injuries. Nevertheless, with this incision, complications can occur as wide scars and alopecia. Because surgical repair of fronto-orbital fractures is often indicated for aesthetic reasons, surgical incision might be an "aesthetic incision." So we have adopted the pretrichial incision, already used in brow-lift and foreheadplasty but never described in craniomaxillofacial trauma surgery. Nineteen upper-third facial trauma patients were treated: five cases were approached via an existing laceration, four cases via a coronal incision, and 10 cases via a unilateral zigzag pretrichial incision. To assess the postsurgical scar, the Patient and Observer Scar Assessment Scale was used and the scar's width was measured. In all cases, a wide surgical field was obtained to perform correct fracture reduction. Unlike straight or stealth coronal incisions, with pretrichial incision no wide scar or alopecia was registered. We think that pretrichial incision is an aesthetically reasonable alternative to the standard coronal approach for craniomaxillofacial trauma patients.

Coronal incision for treating zygomatic complex fractures

OBJECTIVES

To study the value of coronal incisions for treating zygomatic complex fractures.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

A retrospective study was conducted on 69 out of 83 patients regarding the indications and complications of scalp incisions for treating zygomatic complex fractures (the other 14 patients were treated by local incisions and approaches).

RESULTS

In the early postoperative period, 5 patients suffered from haemorrhage, 2 had infections, 24 patients reported immediate postoperative anaesthesia and paraesthesia affecting the supraorbital region. Six had symptoms and signs of facial nerve injury: difficulty with wrinkling the forehead or to closing the eyes. After a follow-up of 3-5 years, 6 cases suffered from a scar wider than 0.5 cm, paraesthesia in 2 cases (parietal region and temporal region), depression of the temporal fossa in 2 and 1 patient had (persistent) palsy of the temporal branch of the facial nerve.

CONCLUSION

On one hand, coronal incisions offer advantages such as: extensive exposure to ensure exact anatomical reduction. On the other hand, this incision has disadvantages such as obvious scars, long operating time, infections, haemorrhage, paraesthesia in the operative region, palsy of the facial nerve and depression of the temporal fossa. Therefore, the indications for coronal incisions should be strictly applied, and this incision should not be overused.

Hair sparing techniques and scalp flap design

Individualizing each patient in deciding on flap selection, flap design, hair sparing or shaving, and method of closure ensures proper treatment outcome with the goal of achieving a good cosmetic result.