Cairo Plastic Clinic 

Scars can occur after burns, accidents, or skin lesions. Replacing defective skin can be a challenging problem, and skin grafts (once very popular) usually end up with a worse cosmetic appearance than the scarred skin.

In the latter quarter of the last century, tissue expansion was introduced and has since enjoyed a wide range of applications since it allows resurfacing of wide defects with neighboring skin similar in color, texture, sensation, and retained hairs and sweat glands.

It is based on the principle of increasing the area of adjacent normal skin, and then using it to replace the area of defective skin. 

How is Tissue Expansion Surgery Performed?

The surgery is carried out in two stages:

1- One or more deflated expander are inserted under the  healthy skin adjacent to the scarred ugly area.  This surgery can be done under local or general anesthesia, although the latter is preferable when multiple expanders are inserted. 

After a delay of 7-10 days, the expander is inflated in the office of Dr. Wilson, usually twice weekly. The amount of fluid injected in the expander per session depends on its initial size, and the quality of overlying skin. The duration of expansion can last 3-10 weeks depending on the size of the expander.

2- The second surgery is performed when the expander is fully inflated. Under general anesthesia, the expander s removed and ugly scar is also excised. Then the healthy expanded skin is rotated to cover the defect after removing the ugly scar.

A thin line is all that results after suturing the new skin in place. 

 

 What are the Risks?

A major issues to avoid during tissue expansion is infection since this may lead to extrusion of the expander. Another major issue to be aware of is  to avoid being pricked by any sharp needle in the area of the expander since this may lead to its rupture. Other minor risks  include seroma formation and expander migration.