Surgical Anatomy of the Scalp

The document summarizes findings from over 3000 scalp operations to provide guidelines for scalp surgery. It details the scalp's five-layered structure, emphasizing the thick skin, rich vascular network in the subcutaneous layer, and the importance of the vascular supply's centripetal nature. The study notes that blood supply is reduced in bald areas, which may affect male pattern baldness and hair restoration surgery outcomes. It also describes the neurologic supply, the protective role of the galea aponeurotica, the safe dissection plane in the avascular subgaleal space, and the reconstructive utility of the pericranium. The conclusion stresses the importance of understanding scalp anatomy for successful and complication-free surgery.