Can The Flat Back Of My Head Be Fixed By Putting In An Implant?

Q:  Hi, I’m 25 and have a really flat area at the back of my head. I’m very self-conscious about this since I was 15. Is there any way that I can fix this for a cosmetic purpose. Can something be implanted at the back of my head? You are my only hope now. If I can get the new round back of the head, I will also get a new life with your help. I have attached some of the pictures of my head taken on the side. Whenever I look at it, i just want to cry. And I’ve mentally suffered from this flat head shape since I was a teenager. If you could possibly please tell me, what needs to be done, and how long does it take to recover after the operation, I would appreciate your help and time so much.

A: Thank you for sending your pictures. I can see how flat the back of your head. The best and most economical way to augment and expand the back of your skull is through an onlay cranioplasty method. This involves putting a material on top of the bone to build it out. Given the amount of material needed, I would recommend acrylic or PMMA. Other materials exist but they are exponentially more expensive. There is even an injectable technique using Kryptonite Bone Cement, and that would be a good option for you, but that would be a cost issue.

To summarize, you can do an occipital cranioplasty by either:

1) An open cranioplasty approach with acrylic or PMMA, PMMA is a very firm material, is the least costly and must be put in through an open approach. (meaning a long fine line scar in the hairline) It would be a two hour procedure under general anesthesia.

2) The other option would be an injectable approach using Kryptonite cement. This would only need about a 2 inch incision. This procedure would take about an hour to do.

The fundamental difference between the two procedures, besides the incision/scar, is the cost of using the material.

Dr. Barry Eppley

Indianapolis Indiana