Revisiting the Pericranial Flap for Scalp Reconstruction
- Resource Type
- Authors
- Seth R. Thaller; Ethan Plotsker; Kriya Gishen; Jason J. Yoo
- Source
- Journal of Craniofacial Surgery. 32:1275-1280
- Subject
- medicine.medical_specialty
Reconstructive Surgeon
Tumor resection
Surgical Flaps
03 medical and health sciences
Scalp reconstruction
0302 clinical medicine
Blunt dissection
Humans
Medicine
030223 otorhinolaryngology
Scalp
business.industry
Soft tissue
Cosmesis
030206 dentistry
General Medicine
Plastic Surgery Procedures
Surgery
medicine.anatomical_structure
Otorhinolaryngology
business
Hair
- Language
- ISSN
- 1536-3732
1049-2275
Soft tissue deficits of the scalp due to trauma, infection, or tumor resection present a unique challenge to the reconstructive surgeon whose goal is to achieve excellent cosmesis in a hair bearing area without compromising coverage. While extensive undermining for large rotation flaps or free tissue transfer can provide necessary coverage, the pericranial flap is an excellent alternative for less ideal surgical candidates who cannot tolerate more extensive interventions or for patients who require long-term cancer surveillance. Elevation of the pericranial flap limits the need for back cuts through the skin and uses blunt dissection to preserve overlying hair follicles. Here we present a review of the anatomy and historical use of the pericranial flap for scalp coverage and we present 4 cases to demonstrate its current utility.