The Pantheon Variant of the Classic Cathedral Dome Procedure for Parieto-Occipital Skull Deformities

Abstract

Objective: To describe a new technique for the reconstruction of parieto-occipital skull deformities.

Methods and results: The technique is a variant of the previously described "cathedral dome procedure" used for frontal skull deformities. The authors apply the same principle of remodeling by making meridional slat craniotomies surrounding the depressed dome of the posterior skull deformity, followed by "green-stick fracture-reshaping" of the meridional slats to elevate and support the excised depressed dome. The authors present an illustrative patient with a follow-up of 2 years and an excellent cosmetic result.

Conclusion: The authors introduce a new operative technique for the reconstruction of parieto-occipital skull deformities with excellent long-term results. The freshly reconstructed occiput resembles the dome of the pantheon in Rome, Italy, whose unique features inspired us to name this procedure the "Pantheon" variant of the cathedral dome operation.