Soft tissue coverage of cranial defects: an update

Scalp and cranial defects can occur as a result of cutaneous or bony malignancies, trauma, surgical intervention for intracranial tumors. Soft tissue reconstruction composite presents unique challenge given the relative inelasticity scalp, need tension free closure, convex shape cranium. An added complexity is found in patients with large defects, cerebrospinal fluid leak, prior failed reconstruction, infection, previous radiation. Methods materials skull have evolved significantly over years, allowing surgeons to repair even most challenging excellent success rates. This review aims discuss evaluate available soft options cranioplasty coverage, particular focus on hostile reconstructive fields use transfer.