title: Use of a calf prosthesis and tissue expansion in aesthetic reconstruction of the leg.
abstract: We present a technique for reconstruction of the legs in patients with soft-tissue loss and formation of large scars with retraction of this tissue in the pretibial region. In such patients, a subcutaneous tissue expander is placed in the region adjacent to the scar tissue. With expansion, we obtained sufficient skin for use in the reconstruction, and the resulting asymmetry in leg diameter was compensated for by means of one or two calf prostheses, depending on the patient.
authors.affiliation: Department of Plastic, Reconstructive, and Aesthetic Surgery, University Clinic of Navarra, Pamplona, Spain.
authors.forename: J M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Serra
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Mesa
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Paloma
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ballesteros
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D004954:Esthetics; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007866:Leg / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D007869:Leg Injuries / Q000601:surgery*; D007870:Leg Length Inequality / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery; D010019:Osteomyelitis / Q000150:complications; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000601:surgery; D019736:Prostheses and Implants; D015626:Tissue Expansion