A newly designed key-hole button.

Abstract

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 bone defect at the key hole and surrounding skull. Although several methods have been developed to prevent skin indentation on burr holes located over the convexity, satisfactory cosmetic repair of the key hole remains difficult 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 shaped 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 application are described.