Use of tissue expansion to allow reconstruction of the back after wide resection of a diffuse neurofibroma

Abstract

Diffuse neurofibroma presents as a diffuse overgrowth of subcutaneous tissue, and usually involves the face, scalp, neck, or chest, but rarely occurs in the back. The management of large soft tissue defects after wide resection of a diffuse neurofibroma is a major surgical challenge. We report the case of a diffuse neurofibroma of the back that required reconstruction after wide resection of the tumour using an expanded myocutaneous advancement flap and a tissue expander. Tissue expansion is essentially a simple technique for expanding available normal skin, and it provides optimally matched skin in terms of colour, texture, hair-bearing qualities, and sensation.