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Updated: Jul 2, 2026

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Quantification of Strain in a Porcine Model of Skin Expansion Using Multi-View Stereo and Isogeometric Kinematics
Published on: April 16, 2017
The osmotic tissue expander: a three-year clinical experience
Miryam C Obdeijn1, Jean-Philippe A Nicolai, Paul M N Werker
1University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Department of Plastic Surgery, Groningen, The Netherlands. m.c.obdeijn@amc.uva.nl
Journal of Plastic, Reconstructive & Aesthetic Surgery : JPRAS
|August 30, 2008
Summary
Tissue expansion offers good skin matching for defect closure but requires multiple procedures. An osmotic expander, developed in Germany, aims to simplify this process by eliminating the need for repeated punctures.
Area of Science:
- Plastic surgery
- Reconstructive surgery
- Biomaterials
Background:
- Surgical defect closure is essential in plastic surgery.
- Traditional methods like flaps create additional scarring.
- Skin expansion and serial excision are less invasive alternatives.
Observation:
- Tissue expansion provides excellent color and texture match for reconstructed areas.
- Current tissue expanders necessitate multiple surgical procedures and clinic visits.
- Repeated punctures for inflation pose risks of infection and patient discomfort.
Findings:
- An osmotic expander was developed in Germany in 1999 by OSMED GmbH.
- This novel device aims to overcome the limitations of conventional tissue expanders.
- The osmotic expander seeks to eliminate the need for repeated punctures for inflation.
Implications:
- This innovation could improve patient outcomes and reduce treatment burdens in reconstructive surgery.
- The osmotic expander may offer a more convenient and safer method for tissue expansion.
- Further research is needed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of osmotic expanders.
