Tissue expanders in reconstructive surgery.

The shortage of skin and soft tissue has been the limiting factor in many reconstructive problems. Tissue expanders (a temporary inflatable device) were recently introduced, to provide the solution. In the first 25 patients of our series of patients age 7 years to 46 years, a total of 30 expanders were used in different parts of the body. The expanders used were made by Cox-Uphoff (CUI) and varied in size from 30 ml to 1000 ml, with an attached remote valve. These expanders were placed subcutaneously, subfascially or submuscularly. Expansion was carried out as an outpatient procedure over a period of 6 weeks. 21 of the 25 patients underwent successful treatment. Failures were due to technical problems, extrusion of expanders, haematoma and infection. Tissue expanders are a new dimension in reconstructive surgery. They cause stretching of skin and soft tissues over a period of time and permit resurfacing of skin defects in difficult situations. Complications may be avoided with experience and further refinements in the construction of the expanders.