[Reprinted from The Medical News, December 31, 1892.] 
SIMPLE METHOD OF RETAINING THE 
CALVARIUM IN PLACE AFTER POST- 
MORTEM EXAMINATION. 
By RICHARD SLEE, M.D., 
PATHOLOGIST TO THE NORWEGIAN HOSPITAL; PATHOLOGIST TO THE 
CENTRAL THROAT HOSPITAL AND POLYCLINIC DISPENSARY; ASSIST- 
ANT PATHOLOGIST TO THE METHODIST EPISCOPAL HOSPITAL, 
AND ASSISTANT TO THE DEPARTMENT OF PHYSIOLOGY, 
HOAGLAND LABORATORY. 
To retain the calvarium in place after conducting an 
examination of the head in the course of a post-mortem 
examination is often a very troublesome and, at the same 
time, important piece of work. This is especially true 
in private cases, where the cosmetics are of importance. 
The ordinary method, that of suturing the divided tem- 
poral muscles, seldom answers the purpose; in con- 
sequence of the stretching of the temporal muscles, the 
calvarium becomes displaced, and we have an unsightly 
ridge just over the eyes, apparent through the integument 
of the forehead, indicating the line of the cranial incision. 
Double-ended tacks are sometimes used, but it re- 
quires some skill to manage them, and the noise caused 
in introducing them is objectionable in private houses. 
The circular cranial incision recommended by some 
authorities is not generally used, as it offers no advantage 
over the plan shown in the cut, a-a representing the usual 
lines of incision. The saw-cuts cross each other about 
one inch above and a little posterior to the external 
auditory meatus on both sides of the head. If after re- 
moval of the calvarium and brain the posterior incision 
is continued forward in the direction of the zygomatic 2 
fossa, there are formed slits in the temporal bones, each 
about an inch long. 
An ordinary roller-bandage, an inch or so in width, is 
now stretched across the skull and crowded edgewise 
into the saw-slits. The calvarium is replaced and the 
extremities of the bandage are brought over the vault 
of the frontal bone and firmly secured by a flat knot or 
pins, as is shown at b in the cut. The divided temporal 
muscles may be sutured or not, as seems desirable. It 
will now be plain sailing to return and suture the scalp 
in place, as the calvarium will not slip about under one's 
hands. 
This scheme was suggested by Mr. Hall, a medical 
student who assisted in the mortuary of the Methodist 
Episcopal Hospital, Brooklyn, N. Y., and I am sure it 
will be found of service.