Reconstruction of children's scalp defects with the Orticochea flap.

From January 1985 to February 1990, 4 children with scalp defects were selected for use of the Orticochea flap technique for reconstruction. The ages ranged from 15 months (the youngest in the literature) to 7 years. The defects ranged from 6 x 7 to 11 x 13 cm. Three defects were traumatic and 1 was acute lymphocytic leukemia septic emboli in cause. All these children got satisfactory results with follow-up periods ranging from 5 months to more than 5 years. With these preliminary experiences, we have verified that the Orticochea flap scalp reconstruction surgery described 20 years ago can be performed safely even in children, especially when tissue expansion is not suitable or readily available.