title: Tissue expansion in reconstructive surgery.
abstract: A surplus of skin for closure of a defect can be obtained by gradual filling of a subcutaneous balloon. In this way reconstruction of extensive skin defects with neighbouring skin is possible. Two patients with skin defects of the head are illustrative for this expansion technique. The technique, indications and histology are discussed.
authors.affiliation: Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Sophia Hospital, Zwolle, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Houpt
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Dijkstra
mesh_terms: D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D005546:Forehead; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009508:Nevus, Pigmented / Q000601:surgery*; D012535:Scalp / Q000601:surgery*; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery*; D013518:Surgery, Plastic / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*