An Aplasia Cutis Congenita: Suggestion of Management Algorithm

When a child is born with Aplasia cutis congenita (ACC), it is important for the surgeon to decide promptly whether to perform early surgical intervention, or proceed with conservative care. Several patients of ACC have been reported in which various treatments have attempted. However, the criteria of treatment remain controversial. In this study, the authors present an algorithm and the literature review to assist with objective decisions during ACC management.

A total of 4 cases of infants born with ACC were referred to our department between January 2017 and April 2019. Conservative care was to be considered a first choice of management.

The ACC lesions were presented in the scalp vertex area in all 4 infants with the intact dura mater. There was no large vein exposure or sagittal sinus exposure in all infants. All 4 infants were managed with conservative care, which immediately resulted in complete healing of the defects without any complications.

Rapid decision-making is required whether or not the patient requires emergency surgical coverage. Even extensive defects may be healed by conservative care alone, if the dura mater is intact and accompanying large vein or sagittal sinus exposure is not identified.