Spider-web technique: Surgical method for comminuted skull fractures

Abstract

When a depressed skull fracture is comminuted with multiple fragments, especially with fracture lines in various three-dimensional planes, it can present as a surgical challenge for replacement fixation. It is often preferable when possible for a sizable bone flap to be replaced with the patient’s own bone flap rather than synthetic or titanium mesh. We describe a simple operative method termed descriptively as “spider-web” technique, which can be used to reassemble and provide fixation for comminuted skull fractures that might otherwise be challenging to replace.

Keywords

• Comminuted skull fracture
• Depressed skull fracture
• Bone flap