Objective To explore the causes and prevention measures of the cracking of skin tissue expander applied for ear deformity surgery. Methods We retrospectively analyzed the clinical data of the patients who underwent ear reconstruction surgery with skin tissue expander which cracked during water injection after surgery between January 2013 and March 2015. And then we analyzed the causes and summarized the preventive measures, such as strengthening health education, protective ear cap application, and correct water injection. Results We collected a total of 149 patients including 153 deformity ears, and 151 skin tissue expanders were used. Skin tissue expander cracking occurred in 7 ears during water injection after surgery with an incidence of 4.64%. Among the seven cases, 5 cases of cracking occurred in the late water injection period when the skin flap size was almost close to expectations; these 5 patients underwent stage-two surgery after the expanders were taken out, and the results were satisfactory. The other 2 ears had expander cracking in the early water injection period, so we took out the skin tissue expander and implanted it again, and the second phase surgery was also satisfactory. The third-stage surgery for the seven cases was all successful. After the third-stage surgery, all patients were followed up for 3 to 6 months, and the outcomes were satisfying without any complications. Conclusion To reduce or avoid skin tissue expander cracking, we should master strict terms of water injection and take effective health education and preventive measures.

Citation： WuZhihui, HuangJianqiong. The Cause Analysis and Prevention of Cracking of Skin Tissue Expander Applied for Ear Deformity Surgery. West China Medical Journal, 2016, 31(11): 1882-1885. doi: 10.7507/1002-0179.201600516 Copy