Long term results of skin expansion

A series of thirty patients who underwent skin expansion have been followed up for at least three years. The residual scars were analysed with respect to site and disturbed sensitivity in expanded skin. In the head and neck region, the mean width of definitive scars was 3.5 mm for lesions that had originally measured a mean of 40 mm. On the trunk the postoperative width was 14 mm for lesions that had originally measured a mean of 82 mm. In the limbs, the corresponding lesions were 11 mm and 80 mm. The best cosmetic results were obtained on the forehead and limbs, taking into account the original lesions. There was objective disturbance on sensitivity (hypoaesthesiae) whatever the site of the lesion.