Dermal substitutes do well on dura: comparison of split skin grafting +/- artificial dermis for reconstruction of full-thickness calvarial defects.

Large, full-thickness calvarial defects present a series of significant reconstructive challenges involving a range of techniques, including local and free flaps. Occasionally these conventional methods may not be possible due to technical, or patient, factors. Artificial dermis is already widely used in burns surgery and is increasing in oncological reconstruction. We believe that artificial dermis coupled with split-thickness skin grafting provides an excellent option for closure of these defects when other techniques are not appropriate.