Customizable rigid head fixation for infants: technical note.
BACKGROUND
The need and advantages of rigid fixation of the head in cranial surgeries are well documented (Berryhill et al., Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg 121:269-273, 1999). Head fixation for neurosurgical procedures in infants and in early years has been a challenge and is fraught with risk. Despite the fact that pediatric pins are designed, rigid head fixation involving direct application of pins to the head of infants and slightly older children is still generally not safe (Agrawal and Steinbok, Childs Nerv Syst 22:1473-1474, 2006). Yet, there are some surgeries in which some form of rigid fixation is required (Agrawal and Steinbok, Childs Nerv Syst 22:1473-1474, 2006). We describe a simple technique to achieve rigid fixation of the head in infants for neurosurgical procedures.


METHODS
This involves applying a head band made of Plaster of Paris (POP) around the head and then applying the fixation pins of the fixation frame directly on to the POP.


CONCLUSIONS
We have used this technique of head fixation successfully for infants with no complications.
Division of Paediatric Neurosurgery, Department of Neurosurgery, Amrita Institute of Medical Sciences and Research Centre, Kochi, Kerala, 682 041, India. dr.suhas@gmail.com.
Suhas
S
Udayakumaran
Neurosurgery Division, Department of Surgery, Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospitals Complex, Ile-Ife, Nigeria.
Chiazor U
CU
Onyia
D001927:Brain Diseases / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D016268:Internal Fixators; D019635:Neurosurgical Procedures / Q000379:methods*; D013238:Stereotaxic Techniques
Plaster of Paris; Rigid head fixation