Scalp reconstruction with large dorsal muscle-free flap after dog bite scalping

ABSTRACT

Introduction:

Scalping is characterized by trauma in the scalp region, which can be classified as partial or total. Scalping trauma is extremely mutilating and stigmatizing, especially when exposing the bone without periosteum, leading to chronic osteomyelitis and external table erosion. When there are extensive scalp lesions above 200cm², and with periosteum, the lesion is required a large amount of tissue with microsurgical flap, which is not available in all centers. This work aims to report a case of a 69-year-old female patient who suffered trauma due to total avulsion of a big scalp of 550cm² with exposure of a skull cap without periosteum and total unviability of the scalp after a dog bite. Due to the total unviability of the avulsed scalp, we opted to transplant a large dorsal muscle free flap with microvascular anastomosis of the thoracodorsal pedicle with the superficial temporal vessels. The flap evolved with good perfusion, and partial grafting was performed in the bloody area.

Methods:

Retrospective analysis of the medical records of the patient in question. This paper follows the Declaration of Helsinki’s standards and the approval of the Ethics and Research Committee.

Conclusion:

The free flap of the large dorsal muscle proved effective in this case of reconstruction of the scalp’s extensive lesion (550cm²) with partial periosteum lesion due to scalping. The flap recovered the shape of the skull and the protective function of the skull cap.

Keywords:
Plastic surgery; Microsurgery; Scalp; Myocutaneous flap; Injuries and injuries