What Is The Best Method To Fix My Skull Deformity?

Q: Dr. Eppley,  I had a craniotomy from a car accident several years and it has left me a skull deformity. My skull deformity is around my left temple, a slight deviation/protrusion of the temple and temple area muscles especially when I move my mouth, such as when I am  chewing. Along with a slightly more serious deviation (a dent) by my left ear skull area. They are both very minor, most people say they don’t notice it but it makes me very self conscious. All this being said…My next question is approximately how much will a plastic procedure to repair my damage cost? and will the repair be “undetectable” ? Just a “ballPark” figure/number?…I mean, does it sound like a $5,000 or $10,000 plastic repair? Or are we talking $50,000 or more to repair?

A: Based on your description of your concerns, I would lean towards fat injection as the corrective approach. You can’t shrink down the temple muscle protrusion and it is there simply because the temporal muscle has atrophied above it due to detachment from the craniotomy procedure. Your skull deformity is in the temporal area above the ear and again is likely due to a muscle issue. Since they both are ‘minor’ and are muscle based on their origin, fat injection grafting would be the simplest and most economical approach to their treatment.

I will have my assistant pass along the cost of the procedure to you. You will find it very affordable based on the numbers you have put forth.

Dr. Barry Eppley

Indianapolis, Indiana