Management of Immobile Scalp Skin Tumors and Analysis of Skin Graft Survival on Burred Calvaria

Abstract

Background: Surgeons face challenges associated with adherent cutaneous scalp malignancy. Traditional general anesthetic excision involves periosteal removal and burring of the outer table of the calvaria for deep margin clarity and tissue reconstruction. Research on this practice is limited, and graft survival in burr-treated bones is underexplored. This study aimed to assess the clinical margin accuracy for immobile scalp malignancies, identify deep-invading malignancy types, and evaluate graft survival in burr-treated calvariae. It compares split-thickness grafts (STSGs) and full-thickness grafts (FTSGs). Methods: Twelve fixed scalp malignancies were excised under anesthesia, allowing immediate STSG or FTSG for defect reconstruction. Postsurgery, graft take, malignancy type, and margin clearance were evaluated. Results: Histopathological diagnosis identified seven squamous cell carcinomas, two melanomas, one basal cell carcinoma, one adenocarcinoma, and one metastatic squamous cell carcinoma. Deep margins ranged from 0 to 0.9 mm, and peripheral margins ranged from 0 to 15 mm. The graft take was 100% in eight cases, with total failure in two cases, and 75%–90% in two cases. The five STSGs had 100% take and 90% take. The three FTSGs had 100%, 75%, and two failed. Conclusions: Clinical examination effectively gauges the tumor fixation depth, but large lesions may require imaging. Most deep-invading tumors were SCCs. STSGs performed better on burr-treated Calvaria than FTSGs.