Objective To explore an improved method of reconstructing the scalp soft tissue defect with the expanded skin soft tissue and treating and preventing the related complication. Methods From October 2002 toJune 2005, 32 patients (20 males and 12 females, aged 5-48 years) underwent reconstruction of the scalp soft tissue defects with the expanded scalp soft tissue in thetwo-stage operation. In the first stage, a tissue expander (cylindrical form, 50-250 ml) was inplanted into the skin to achieve a skin soft tissue expansion. After a sufficient skin expansion (8 cm×5 cm to 25 cm×23 cm) was made by the routine water affusion for 6-16 weeks, a properly-designed skin flap was taken and transferred to reconstruct the scalp soft tissue defect in the second-stage of the operation. All the scalp defects were left after the resections of the scalp lesions, which ranged in size from 7 cm×5 cm to 20 cm×20 cm.Results After operation, all the 32 patients had their scalp defects repaired and reconstructed well.The expanded skin flaps of all the 32 patients survived except 1 patient who had a necrosis of the distal epidermis of the flap, which healed after the dressings of the wound. The hair grew well and the scars were hidden with a satisfactory appearance. Four patients developed complications (necrosis of the distal flapin 1 patient, hematoma in 1, expander exposure in 1, and wound rupture in 1).Conclusion Reconstruction of the scalp soft tissue defect with the skin soft tissue expansion is an ideal method.
Objective To improve the efficiency of skin soft tissueexpansion with the overlapping tissue expansion techniques. Methods From June 2003 to March 2005, 5 cases of skin soft tissue defects were treated with the overlapping tissue expansion techniquetwo overlapped expanders in one soft tissue pocket, which was different from the traditional technique——one expander in one soft tissue pocket. Five patients included 3 males and 2 females, aging from 11 to 28 years. The defect was caused by scar of forearm in 2 cases, by melanotic nevus in 1 caseand by cicatricial baldness in 2 cases. The disease course was 1.5 to 24 years. Thedefect size ranged from 12 cm×5 cm to 13 cm×12 cm. Results Skin expansion process was satisfactory and skin defect was completely repaired with the expanded skin tissue in one operation in 5 cases. After operation, the wound of donor-recipient site healed by first intention. All patients were followed up from 3 to 15months, no contracture, pigmentation and scar occurred at the expanded skin area. The long-term appearances were satisfactory. Conclusion Compare with the traditional tissue expansion techniques, the new overlapping tissue expansion techniques can apparently improve the efficiency of skin soft tissue expansion. Itis suitable for the patients whose expandable skin is limited or no more skin tissue can be dissected near the skin defect and who need more expandable skin torepair skin defect.
OBJECTIVE To repair facial and neck scar using tissue expanding technique. METHODS From January 1991 to January 1995, 16 cases with facial and neck scar were treated. Multiple tissue expanders were put under the normal skin of facial and neck area, after being fully expanded, the scars were excised and the expended skin flaps were transplanted to cover the defects. The size and number of tissue expanders were dependent on the location of the scars. Normally, 5 to 6 ml expanding volume was needed to repair 1 cm2 facial and neck defect. The incisions should be chosen along the cleavage lines or in the inconspicuous area, such as the nasolabial fold or submandibular region. The design of flap was different in the face and in the neck. In the face, direct advanced flap was most common used, whereas in the neck, transposition flap was often used. Appropriate tension was needed to achieve smooth and cosmetic effect. It was compared the advantages and disadvantages of several methods for repair of the defect after facial and neck scar excision. RESULTS Fifteen cases had no secondary deformity after scar excision. Among them, 1 case showed blood circulation disturbance and cured through dressing change. Ten cases were followed up and showed better color and texture in the flap, and satisfactory appearances. CONCLUSION Tissue expanding technique is the best method for the repair of facial and neck scar, whenever there is enough expandable normal skin.
This study was performed on adult canines. After expansion of 1—3 days the skin was analysised with image-analysis-system, and its ultrastructures were observed with electronic microscopy.Results were: (1)There was no obvious changes of the thickness of the skin during the three days after expansion; (2)At the summit and middle of the skin from expansion of 1—2 days, the fibroblasts were enlarged increased in number, and more mitochondria and rough endoplasmic reticulums were found in the cytoplasm; (3) Succinate dehydrogenase(SDH)and the coiiagenous fibers were obviously increased at the summit and middle of the skin after expansion of 1-2 days (Plt;0.05), but SDH became weak and the coiiagenous fibers were decreased on the third day ,and (4) It was also found that the elastic fibers were decreased at the summit and middle the skin after expansion on 1-2 days,and at the middle and the periphery of the skin on the thirt day.