Combined skin dilator and titanium mesh application to repair scalp and skull defects: a case report

TL;DR

A patient with scalp and skull damage from electrical burns was successfully treated using skin dilators and titanium mesh.

Contribution

This case report presents a novel combined approach using skin dilators and titanium mesh for scalp and skull defect repair.

Findings

The patient recovered well with satisfactory head shape after 6 months of follow-up.

Skin dilators and titanium mesh effectively repaired both scalp and skull defects.

The two-stage treatment approach controlled infection and restored structural integrity.

Abstract

We report a case of skin dilator combined with titanium mesh to repair scalp and skull defects. An 18-year-old male with a scalp defect and skull necrosis due to high-voltage electrical burns was admitted to our hospital. In the first stage, the wound was debrided, antibiotics were applied to control the infection, and two skin dilators were embedded under the scalp after debridement. In the second stage, necrotic skull material was removed, the skull defect was repaired using titanium mesh, and the scalp defect was repaired by transferring expanded flaps. The patient was followed up for 6 months, recovering well and achieving a satisfactory head shape.

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