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No abstract

A n y m e t h o d of closure of the scalp has two essential f a c t o r s-a p p r o x i m a t i o n of the margins of the wound and a d e q u a t e hemostasis. The t w o-l a y e r m e t h o d e m p l o y i n g silk sutures was the accepted s t a n d a r d for m a n y years. In 1943, while in the N a v y , we began to use an inverted m a t t r e s s suture of t a n t a l u m wire for closure of the scalp. This m e t h o d was more rapid, allowed b e t t e r hemostasis, and, when removed, left no foreign m a t e r i a l in the wound. Stainless steel wire has since replaced t a n t a l u m b u t the m e t h o d of use and a d v a ntages are similar. PIG. 1. Photograp]l of scalp clips (see text). Recently, we have (tcveloped a clip t h a t should further simplify closure of the scalp, either for laceration or c r a n i o t o m y .