A novel treatment approach for traumatic scalp defects with exposed calvaria denuded of pericranium by combined application of low-temperature plasma and negative pressure wound therapy: A case series.

Abstract

Traumatic scalp defects with an exposed calvaria denuded of the pericranium are challenging to manage. In such cases, adjunctive therapies, such as milling the outer calvarial cortex and applying negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT), can promote granulation tissue. This case series describes the successful management of traumatic scalp defects after cortical craniectomy using a combination of low-temperature plasma (LTP) and NPWT. This is a retrospective single-surgeon case series. Three patients with traumatic scalp wound defects underwent cortical calvarial bone removal after LTP combined with NPWT. LTP was applied to the diploic space of the calvaria weekly or twice weekly using BioPlasmaJet BPJ1 (BIOPlasma System: Model-BioPlasmaJet System). Subsequently, NPWT was applied with a continuous pressure of 110 mmHg until good granulation tissue formation was achieved for skin graft placement. Two males and one female were included, and the mean follow-up duration was 7 (range 3-12) months. In addition, the average time to achieve good granulation tissue formation was 4 (2-6) weeks; all patients achieved successful split-thickness skin grafting within 3 weeks after placement without signs of calvarial infection. The combination of LTP and NPWT is a safe and effective treatment modality for scalp defects with exposed calvaria denuded of the pericranium resulting from trauma. Combining these two therapies may provide a synergistic effect that enhances granulation tissue formation and prevents local infections without complications.