Modified coronal incision: distribution of stress in the scalp and cranium.

Abstract

Coronal incision or bitemporal incision is useful for wider visualization in craniofacial surgery. In volume-expanding surgery such as fronto-orbital advancement, however, the incisional scar in the temporal scalp is often undesirably wide and conspicuous. We modified the coronal incision to avoid the widened scar. Further, we analyzed the resulting stress distribution using the finite element method (FEM) to determine whether or not the modification we adapted was effective. The modified method of coronal scalp incision that we used for craniofacial surgery is practical and technically easy. FEM analysis showed that our method was effective in terms of mechanical strength. The simulated surgical craft model is presented and is concluded to be beneficial for further analysis in craniofacial surgery.