How Can A Non-Healing Scalp Wound After A Craniotomy Be Made To Heal?

Q: Dr. Eppley, My friend who is 21 years old now had an accident and needed a craniotomy. She recovered completely over a year and underwent 2 cranioplasties… as the small part of wound on front skull was not healing she underwent rotation flap 6months back… but even that failed… the small part of wound is open again… what do we do now?

A: I assume the bone underneath the open scalp wound is that of the original craniotomy flap or some form of cranioplasty material from her secondary cranioplasty procedures??  Either way both are a non-vascularized base which is why it opens up as the tissue ingrowth from the scalp edges can not survive over an essentially dead surface.

But I don’t have enough information to provide a truly qualified opinion.

Dr. Barry Eppley

Indianapolis, Indiana