A potential long-term complication to two-segment total scalp replantation and how to treat it

Abstract

Total avulsion of the scalp is a serious traumatic injury and an absolute surgical emergency. Despite well-stocked literature on its immediate care, there is insufficient literature regarding its long-term complications. Here, we describe the case of a patient who developed chronic pain 24 months after replantation. The patient underwent several needle rigotomy sessions associated with lipofilling to reconstruct a sliding plane between the scalp and periosteum, followed by nanofat sessions to improve skin elasticity. This autologous fat injection treatment was successful, and the patient is currently pain-free. Therefore, lipofilling followed by nanofat injection is an effective treatment for this complication.

Keywords

• Scalp
• Reimplantation
• Pain
• Lipofilling
• Nanofat