Skip to main content
Log in

Customizable rigid head fixation for infants: technical note

  • Technical Note
  • Published:
Child's Nervous System Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Introduction

The need and advantages of rigid fixation of the head in cranial surgeries are well documented (Berryhill et al., Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg 121:269-273, 1999). Head fixation for neurosurgical procedures in infants and in early years has been a challenge and is fraught with risk. Despite the fact that pediatric pins are designed, rigid head fixation involving direct application of pins to the head of infants and slightly older children is still generally not safe (Agrawal and Steinbok, Childs Nerv Syst 22:1473-1474, 2006). Yet, there are some surgeries in which some form of rigid fixation is required (Agrawal and Steinbok, Childs Nerv Syst 22:1473-1474, 2006). We describe a simple technique to achieve rigid fixation of the head in infants for neurosurgical procedures.

Technical note

This involves applying a head band made of Plaster of Paris (POP) around the head and then applying the fixation pins of the fixation frame directly on to the POP.

Conclusion

We have used this technique of head fixation successfully for infants with no complications.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2

References

  1. Agrawal D, Steinbok P (2006) Simple technique of head fixation for image-guided neurosurgery in infants. Childs Nerv Syst 22(11):1473–1474

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  2. Aoki N, Sakai T (1989) Modified application of three-point skull clamp for infants. Neurosurgery 25(4):660–662

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  3. Berryhill WE, Rimell FL, Ness J, Marentette L, Haines SJ (1999) Fate of rigid fixation in pediatric craniofacial surgery. Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg 121(3):269–273

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  4. Cochrane D (2007) Simple technique of head fixation for image-guided neurosurgery in infants. Childs Nerv Syst 23(6):615 author reply 617

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  5. Colditz JC (2002) Plaster of Paris: the forgotten hand-splinting material. Journal of Hand Surgery 15:144–157

    Google Scholar 

  6. Gupta N (2006) A modification of the Mayfield horseshoe headrest allowing pin fixation and cranial immobilization in infants and young children. Neurosurgery 58(1 Suppl):ONS-E181 discussion ONS-E181

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  7. Muzumdar DP (2007) Simple technique of head fixation for image-guided neurosurgery in infants. Childs Nerv Syst 23(6):611 author reply 613

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  8. Muzumdar DP, Bhatjiwale MG, Goel A. (2005) Plaster of Paris mould for stereotactic frame fixation. Pediatr Neurosurg 229–32

  9. Sgouros S, Grainger MC, McCallin S (2005) Adaptation of skull clamp for use in image-guided surgery of children in the first 2 years of life. Childs Nerv Syst 21:148–149

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

Download references

Conflict of interest

The authors declare that they have no competing interests.

Funding/material support

None.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Suhas Udayakumaran.

Additional information

No portion of this work has been presented elsewhere.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Udayakumaran, S., Onyia, C.U. Customizable rigid head fixation for infants: technical note. Childs Nerv Syst 32, 159–161 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00381-015-2896-y

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00381-015-2896-y

Keywords

Navigation