Pediatr. praxi. 2010;11(4):252-254

Perinatal cephalhaematomes - to evacuate or not to do?

MUDr.Eva Brichtová, Ph.D.

Neurochirurgické oddělení, Klinika dětské chirurgie, ortopedie a traumatologie, FN Brno

Cephalhaematoma is defined as subperiostal blood collection occurring in newborns secondary to birth trauma of a head. The group of

254 children suffered from cephalhaematoma were treated at Clinic of Pediatric Surgery, Orthopaedics and Traumatology in Brno Faculty

Hospital within 7 years. 235 patients were treated by aspirations and 19 patients underwent neurosurgery, it means that all patients were

treated with determined surgical intervention. The surgery was indicated and performed very early, so that the calvaria bone under the

ossified cephalhaematoma was intact and there was no need of cranioplasty. The results were excellent, as all patients were treated successfully

and no infectious or other complications were observed in all cases. Based on our results, we suggest more radical therapeutic

approach and to perform aspirations if the cephalhaematoma is diagnosed. In our opinion, this treatment can be considered as simple

and safe method, which prevents the possible further cephalhaematoma calcification and ossification with surgical consequencies.

Keywords: cephalhaematoma, perinatal head injury, aspiration, surgery techniques, ossification

Published: October 1, 2010  Show citation