A newly designed key-hole button - Technical note

Patients who have undergone frontotemporal craniotomy occasionally complain of scalp deformity in the anterior temporal area. This occurs as a result of inappropriate reconstruction of the temporal muscle and repair of the bo ne defect at the key hole and surrounding skull. Although several methods h ave been developed to prevent skin indentation on burr holes located over t he convexity, satisfactory cosmetic repair of the key hole remains difficul t because of its complicated bone curvature. To prevent such postoperative deformity, the authors designed a button made of hydroxyapatite ceramics to fit the key hole easily. This new, biocompatible "key-hole button" is shap ed to alleviate the deformity of the temple by filling the bone defect in a more natural way. The specifications of this device and its clinical appli cation are described.