Tissue Expanders Optimize Harvesting of Full-thickness Skin Grafts in Select Patients Undergoing McIndoe Neovagina

Abstract

In Brief Objective: We describe the use of tissue expanders in patients who have insufficient skin to harvest full-thickness skin graft for creation of an adequate neovagina. Methods: Retrospective descriptive series. Results: Tissue expanders were used successfully to create adequate tissue for harvest of a full-thickness skin graft for creation of a neovagina. Discussion: Using tissue expanders to create adequate tissue for full-thickness skin grafts in the petite patient allowed us to apply the benefits of full-thickness skin graft in these smaller and often younger women. The use of tissue expanders to create full-thickness skin graft appears to be a safe, effective, and well-tolerated technique with good cosmetic results. This retrospective series will introduce the novel technique of using tissue expanders to create adequate tissue for full-thickness skin grafts in the petite patient for creation of neovagina.