Pinning in pediatric neurosurgery: the modified rubber stopper technique

Head immobilization devices with skull pins are commonly used by neurosurgeons to stabilize the head for microsurgical techniques and to maintain accurate intraoperative neuronavigation. Pediatric patients, who may have open fontanelles, unfused sutures, and thin skulls, are vulnerable to complications during placement in pins. We review the various methods of pinning in pediatric neurosurgery and revisit the modified rubber stopper technique using a commonly available rubber stopper from a medication bottle over a standard adult pin of a Mayfield head clamp to prevent the pins from plunging through the thin pediatric skull.