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Published on: April 16, 2017
External tissue expansion in head and neck reconstruction
Ahmed E Lasheen1, Khaled Saad, Mahmoud Raslan
1General Surgery Department, Faculty of Medicine, Zagazig University, Zagzig City, Sharkia 44519, Egypt. lasheenahmed@yahoo.com
Journal of Plastic, Reconstructive & Aesthetic Surgery : JPRAS
|January 9, 2008
Summary
External tissue expansion offers a safe and effective method for head and neck reconstruction. This technique minimizes complications compared to traditional internal expansion methods.
Area of Science:
- Plastic Surgery
- Reconstructive Surgery
Background:
- Tissue expansion is crucial in plastic surgery, particularly for head and neck reconstruction.
- Internal tissue expansion methods can be associated with significant complications.
Observation:
- This study evaluated external tissue expansion in 40 patients requiring head and neck reconstruction.
- Customized external tissue expanders were applied to normal skin adjacent to lesions, utilizing negative pressure (-100 to -200 mbar).
Findings:
- Successful tissue expansion was achieved in all 40 cases for reconstruction after lesion excision.
- Minimal complications, such as blisters and red spots in three patients, were managed by temporarily halting expansion.
Implications:
- External tissue expansion presents a simple, safe, and effective alternative for head and neck reconstruction.
- This technique avoids the complications linked to conventional internal expansion, offering favorable outcomes.