Traction-assisted dermatogenesis by serial intermittent skin tape application

The use of both tissue expanders and skin-stretching devices is commonplace in reconstructive surgery. The authors describe a noninvasive technique of tissue expansion.

This article describes a prospective study in which 26 consecutive patients consisting of eight male patients and 18 female patients were recruited for expanding the skin by the authors' devised technique of intermittent serial traction Micropore taping of skin at weekly intervals. Once the skin was expanded, the scar revision was performed in one or two stages by excision and flap advancement. The age range of the patients was 8 to 48 years. The anatomical regions that underwent scar revision were scalp (n = 6), face (n = 9), upper limb (n = 6), and lower limb (n = 9).

The size of the scars to be resurfaced ranged from 35 x 50 mm on the temple to 280 x 130 mm on the scalp. The average follow-up after surgical correction was 11 months. The number of taping sessions ranged from two to 15, with an average of 6.9. Fourteen patients had successfully completed the surgical management, and four patients are in the midst of treatment. Four patients defaulted on treatment, and in four patients, the expansion failed to progress. Illustrative examples of some of the cases are described.

Traction-assisted dermatogenesis is an additional method of tissue expansion that is easy and cost effective for reconstruction.