title: Primary reconstruction of congenital facial lesion defects with tissue expansion.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Congenital facial lesions may require surgical intervention to correct deformity or to decrease the potential for malignant degeneration.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  Hemangiomata and melanocytic and sebaceous nevi are among the most common congenital facial defects. The techniques and outcome of serial tissue expansion in the management of facial lesions were evaluated.
  
  
  METHODS
  Seven pediatric patients had congenital facial defects treated with tissue expansion and subsequent excision and reconstruction.
  
  
  RESULTS
  All patients had a satisfactory outcome. Complications are reviewed, and in this patient population were minor.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Tissue expansion has a role in surgical management of congenital facial lesions. Staged excision, skin grafting and nonintervention are also options which must be individualized to the case at hand.
authors.affiliation: Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, Iowa City 52242.
authors.forename: J L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Frodel
authors.forename: D C
authors.initials: DC
authors.lastname: Whitaker
mesh_terms: D002648:Child; D002921:Cicatrix / Q000601:surgery; D062109:Dermatologic Surgical Procedures; D004428:Ear Neoplasms / Q000151:congenital / Q000601:surgery; D004431:Ear, External / Q000601:surgery; D005148:Facial Dermatoses / Q000151:congenital / Q000601:surgery; D005153:Facial Neoplasms / Q000151:congenital* / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D006222:Hamartoma / Q000601:surgery; D006391:Hemangioma / Q000151:congenital / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009508:Nevus, Pigmented / Q000151:congenital / Q000601:surgery; D010347:Patient Care Planning; D012867:Skin / Q000473:pathology; D013524:Surgical Flaps / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D015626:Tissue Expansion / Q000379:methods*; D015625:Tissue Expansion Devices