Skeletal deformities due to tissue expanders: report of two patients

Two patients, burned at ages 2 and 5, developed scars that required multiple reconstructive operations over a period of several years. Tissue expanders were used as part of their reconstructive procedures. After the expanders were removed, skeletal deformity was encountered in the area underlying the expander in each patient. Patient 1 had deformity of the rib cage, and Patient 2 had deformity of the outer table of the skull. No treatment was felt to be indicated. Surgeons should be aware of the possibility of the development of this problem.