Reusability of tissue expanders for management of postern alopecia

ABSTRACT

Controlled tissue expansion by encouraging the development of tissues which are ideally matched in color, texture and hair bearing qualities offers safe and widely appreciable technique for scalp reconstruction. Due to its high technology, tissue expanders are too expensive. So, these disposable devices were resterilized and reused up to 4 times for management of 20 patients suffering from post-burn alopecia by 24 expansion procedures. The aim of this report was to introduce and 5clarify the technique of reusability of tissue expanders and to compare the rate of complications [25% major and 20% minor complications] with the previous reports using disposable devices once for one patient only