Go digital! The surgeon's finger as a digital shield for dura in cranial defects in repeat craniofacial surgery.
Childs Nerv SystSep 11, 2026 (epub)
Vikram P Sharma, Richard Hayward, Adikarige Haritha Dulanka Silva et al.
✦ AI-curated · Sources linked
Case in brief
A 4-year-old child with syndromic craniosynostosis presented with raised intracranial pressure and multiple calvarial defects with dural adherence during posterior cranial vault remodeling. The surgeon employed a technique called digital shielding, using a gloved finger to protect the dura while performing controlled dissection around the bone defects. The patient was discharged three days post-surgery and remained well at the 10-week follow-up.
Diagnostic / clinical pearl
Digital shielding is an effective, low-cost technique that enhances safety during craniofacial surgery by protecting the dura while allowing for precise dissection.