Surgical anatomy of the scalp.
BACKGROUND
The goal of complication-free scalp surgery remains elusive. Wide unsightly scars, stretch-atrophied hypesthetic, poorly vascularized tissues and distorted hair patterns are still commonly seen and appear to be largely refractory to remedial surgery.


OBJECTIVE
To establish technical guidelines for scalp surgery most compatible with maximum functional/cosmetic benefit and complication-free results.


METHODS
More than 3000 scalp operations, done personally, were reviewed. These covered the entire spectrum of plastic and reconstructive surgery and hair restoration procedures including more than 700 clinical surgical investigative procedures with pericranial flaps, subgaleal and subperiosteal scalp reductions, and deep plane fixation procedures.


RESULTS
Notably improved scalp surgery outcomes resulted from the application of data derived from study of the surgical anatomy of the scalp. Unsightly scars, distorted hair patterns, hypesthetic poorly vascularized tissues, and distorted hair patterns were largely avoided.


CONCLUSIONS
An understanding of the surgical anatomy of the scalp is a cornerstone on which complication-free scalp surgery is based.
Seery
Gerard E
GE
Carmichael, California 95608, USA. gaseery@sbcglobal.net
D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D002921:Cicatrix / Q000517:prevention & control; D004548:Elasticity; D004954:Esthetics; D006801:Humans; D012535:Scalp / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000098:blood supply / Q000294:innervation / Q000601:surgery*