Tissue expansion in reconstructive plastic surgery of face and scalp

ABSTRACT

Reconstruction with chronic intermittent expansion of face and scalp defects was done in twenty cases in this study conducted over a span of four years [1990-94] in Plastic Surgery Department, Mayo Hospital, Lahore. Tissue expanders, made up of silicon, were used with volume capacity ranging between 70 and 450cc. Weekly saline injections in the remote valve [port] were given and expanded skin advanced to cover the defect after 8-12 weeks. The indications, experiences and complications encountered in this series of twenty patients have been described, advantages and problems are discussed