Objective To investigate aesthetic outcomes and postoperative complications of hydroxyapatite particulate artificial bone for repairing sunken deformation of frontal bone following removal of dermoid cyst. Methods From February 2000 to May 2005, hydroxyapatite particulate artificial bone was used to repair the sunken deformation of frontal bone in 13 cases (9 males and 4 females), and the age of the patients was from 17 to 41 years. The dermoid cysts were all found during infant period, and the length and width of the cysts ranged from 6 cm×4 cm to 10 cm×8 cm. Anincision along the hairedge or tumor margin was made to excise the dermoid cyst in the forehead. After complete removal of dermoid cyst, the sunken frontal bone was examined and repaired with hydroxyapatite particulate artificial bone. The clinical checkup and Xray examination were utilized to determine aesthetic outcomes and postoperative complications at 1 week, 1 month and 6 months after operation. Results The primary wound healing was obtained in allpatients postoperatively, and no complications such as hematoma, infection, recurrence of dermoidcysts or displacement of hydroxyapatite particulate artificial bone were observed. With a followup from 1 to 20 months, all sunken deformations were completely repaired with satisfactorily aesthetic outcomes. Through clinical checkup and X-ray examination, the implants were found to integrate with the frontal bones without any gaps and displacement. Conclusion It is a simple and viable method torepair sunken deformation of frontal bone with hydroxyapatite particulate artificial bone.
