Repair of denuded cranial bone by bone splitting and free-skin grafting.

As an alternative to the use of pedicled skin flaps for the repair of large defects of the scalp with denuded cranial bone, we recommend splitting of the bone and exposure of the diploë. The diploë is then covered with a free-skin graft, either immediately or after the formation of granulation tissue. The method is simple; it does not cause undue discomfort to the patient and does not detract from the chance of success if a more elaborate reconstructive procedure should be required later.