[Progress in the use of tissue expanders for defect closure of the body surface--experimental principles]

The principle of soft tissue expansion has been applied in widespread techniques in the field of plastic and reconstructive surgery since Radovan (1976) presented a method in which silicone expanders were subcutaneously implanted. Many experimental and clinical reports have been published since then, dealing particularly with the histomorphology, vascularization, and pathophysiology of expanded skin as well as with surgical techniques. Our own study intends to identify the effects of tissue expanders on the biomechanical, biochemical, and morphological qualities of expanded skin, and to determine the influence of pharmacological therapy during expansion.