Tissue Expansion: King Khalid University Experience

Abstract

Tissue expansion is a means of mechanically generating excess soft tissue adjacent to a defect. The advantage of this technique is that it enables replacement of missing tissue with similar tissue of matching color, texture and other inherent local characteristics. The mechanism of generating skin by this technique and the physiologic changes occurring in the skin during the process of expansion have been well studied in animal models. 1-3 However, meticulous attention to detail is required to reduce the incidence of complications associated with the technique and to achieve optimum results. We present here our experience with 128 tissue expanders in 97 patients in an Arab population. The treatment was carried out at King Khalid University Hospital from 1989-1996. The aim of the study is to evaluate the outcomes of tissue expansion, with a view to identifying the factors that could contribute to minimizing complications.