Tissue Expansion For Reconstruction and Scar Revision

Sometimes, following a plastic or reconstructive surgical procedure, excess skin needs to be removed. In the opposite case, there is a deficit of skin following surgery or not enough of the patient’s skin to adequately complete the procedure; in this case tissue expansion may be necessary.

Tissue expansion allows the body to grow skin in a rapid manner for use in reconstructive or plastic surgery, this is a fairly natural process similar to when a woman’s abdominal skin begins to grow to accommodate a growing fetus and is done in a slow and careful way to avoid stretch marks. Leif Rogers, MD is experienced at using tissue expansion and tissue-expansion techniques for various plastic and reconstructive surgery procedures.

Tissue expansion is often used in cases of breast reconstruction, breast implants, scar revision and other procedures where additional skin is needed and there is not sufficient tissue for a skin graft (taking skin from another donor location) or grafting is not advisable for the specific procedure. Unlike a graft, tissue expansion generally results in less scarring and leaves a totally natural, color-matched result with the same texture and hair-growing qualities of the nearby skin. It also is more desirable because blood supply develops naturally, there is no risk of tissue rejection and the skin usually retains all of the sensation that was available in the original area because nerve connections continue to grow naturally. It does however take require more time than grafting or transplantation and multiple visits are required over the skin growing process.

Tissue expansion generally involves the insertion of an inflatable balloon that is placed beneath the skin, initially filled with a small amount of saline solution. Over a period of time, depending upon how much skin is needed and how rapidly the patient’s body responds, the balloon is increasingly inflated with additional saline at regular intervals.

Tissue expansion is particularly helpful in reconstruction or augmentation of the breasts or other areas of the body where the patient does not have the necessary additional skin and tissue to form a flap. It is also used in scar revision and can result in thinning or eventual removal of the scar tissue.

Tissue expander techniques are not always useful or necessary but can be ideal under the right conditions. A full consultation with Dr. Rogers and his staff will help you determine your personal needs and options regarding tissue expansion and other skin replacement techniques.