Cosmetic and functional reconstruction achieved using a split myofascial bone flap for pterional craniotomy - Technical note

Cosmetic deformities that appear following pterional craniotomy are usually caused by temporal muscle atrophy, injury to the frontotemporal branch of the facial nerve, or bone pits in the craniotomy line. To resolve these pro blems during pterional craniotomy, an alternative method was developed in w hich a split myofascial bone flap and a free bone flap are used. The author s have used this method in the treatment of 40 patients over the last 3 yea rs. Excellent cosmetic and functional results have been obtained. This meth od can provide wide exposure similar to that achieved using Yasargil's inte rfascial pterional craniotomy, without limiting the operative field with a bulky temporal muscle flap.