Pitching for the hitch: Neodural tenting sutures to prevent post-cranioplasty collection in a sunken craniectomy site

Abstract

Post-operative epidural collection is a commonly encountered complication following cranioplasty (CP) in a patient with a sunken skin flap. While on most occasions, the collection is small and resolves spontaneously, on occasion, it may be large enough to warrant evacuation. Further, such collections may predispose to infection and bone flap resorption. Dural hitch sutures were once used routinely in all craniotomies by tacking up the dura at the margins of the craniotomy to the surrounding pericranium to prevent post-operative epidural collection but now several surgeons use them only when deemed absolutely necessary. We describe a variation (in cases where CP is performed in patients with a sunken flap) where several sutures are passed from the neodura through the center of the bone flap (as opposed to the peripherally placed conventional hitch sutures) to obviate the dead space and prevent any post-operative collection.

Keywords: Cranioplasty; Decompressive craniectomy; Hitch sutures; Neodura; Sunken skin flap; Tenting sutures.