Where Is The Incision For Combined Forehead And Occipital Augmentation?

Q: Dr. Eppley, I am interested in forehead augmentation as well as temporal and back of the head augmentation. I like the way I look when I have hair, but sadly my hairline has began to recede. My forehead slopes back and I feel my head lacks the mass to balance my face (forehead and all) out. I’m interested both widening my temporal region (starting at about the ear back) with custom formed implants AND correcting relatively flat back. Can one incision be used for all three adjustments (left and right temporal and the back of the head)? And if so how large of incision would be needed and where would it be located? 

A: I commonly have performed combined forehead augmentation and occipital augmentation. Dual access to both the back of the head, temporal and forehead regions can be done through a single scalp incision. It is known as a coronal scalp incision and runs across the top of the head from ear to ear. It effectively allows a ‘clamshell’ approach to be taken to skull rehabbing surgery and provides a 360 degree access and view of the entire head above the eye and ears. While it sounds and looks dramatic, it heals very well and quickly When looking at the patient the very next day when the dressing comes off, it is hard to image that type of surgical exposure that was done just the day previously. Patients also have a surprisingly minimal amount of discomfort afterward.

Dr. Barry Eppley

Indianapolis, Indiana