Management of Aplasia cutis congenita of the scalp

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dc.contributor.authorHarvey, G.
dc.contributor.authorSolanki, N.
dc.contributor.authorAnderson, P.
dc.contributor.authorCarney, B.
dc.contributor.authorSnell, B.
dc.date.issued2012
dc.description.abstractBACKGROUND: Aplasia cutis congenita (ACC) is a rare condition commonly affecting the scalp in which there is a focal deficiency of cutaneous tissues of varying severity ranging from an absence of skin through to full thickness defects involving deeper elements such as bone and dura. Lesions of the scalp can be associated with complications including infection, hemorrhage, thrombosis, and seizures. Opinions in the current literature regarding management of this condition are varied with both conservative and surgical management advocated. Conservative treatment consists of regular wound dressings and systemic antibiotics, while surgical management commonly involves skin grafting and local flaps. METHODS: A retrospective case review was performed to audit the outcomes of patients with ACC of the scalp managed at the Women's and Children's Hospital (WCH) in Adelaide, Australia from 2002 to 2012. Cases were identified from admission coding diagnoses and data was retrieved from patient case notes. RESULTS: Seventeen cases of ACC were identified. The most common location involved was the scalp vertex. Thirteen patients were managed conservatively and 4 had primary surgical intervention. Of the cases that were managed with primary surgery, 2 had complications. None of the conservatively managed patients had complications in the acute setting. CONCLUSIONS: At the WCH, we advocate adopting a conservative approach to management of ACC of the scalp. Defects can be successfully managed with a combination of regular dressings and systemic antibiotics. Regular wound monitoring is essential to detect any complications early to instigate appropriate treatment and determine the need for emergency surgical management.
dc.description.statementofresponsibilityGeorgina Harvey, Nicholas S. Solanki, Peter J. Anderson, Bernard Carney, and Broughton J. Snell
dc.identifier.citationJournal of Craniofacial Surgery, 2012; 23(6):1662-1664
dc.identifier.doi10.1097/SCS.0b013e31826542de
dc.identifier.issn1049-2275
dc.identifier.issn1536-3732
dc.identifier.orcidAnderson, P. [0000-0002-3730-4652]
dc.identifier.urihttp://hdl.handle.net/2440/89467
dc.language.isoen
dc.publisherLippincott, Williams & Wilkins
dc.rights© 2012 Mutaz B. Habal
dc.source.urihttps://doi.org/10.1097/scs.0b013e31826542de
dc.subjectCutis aplasia
dc.subjectaplasia cutis congenita
dc.subjectscalp
dc.titleManagement of Aplasia cutis congenita of the scalp
dc.typeJournal article
pubs.publication-statusPublished

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