A history of tissue expansion. Concepts, controversies, and complications.
BACKGROUND
Tissue expansion has become a widely used adjunct in reconstruction of the skin.


OBJECTIVE
To trace the history of the concept of tissue expansion from the ancient to the latest medical literature.


METHODS
We reviewed the technologic developments in the materials and methods of tissue expansion.


RESULTS
Tissue expansion is of clinical importance and can be understood by the biochemical, biomechanical, and histologic features of expanded skin.


CONCLUSIONS
Tissue expansion is becoming widely used and accepted and its continued use under many circumstances is justified by the experimental and clinical results.
Bennett
R G
RG
Department of Medicine (Dermatology), University of Southern California School of Medicine, Los Angeles.
Hirt
M
M
D000818:Animals; D062109:Dermatologic Surgical Procedures; D004867:Equipment Design; D049673:History, 20th Century; D049690:History, Ancient; D006801:Humans; D012867:Skin / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D012879:Skin Physiological Phenomena; D013524:Surgical Flaps / Q000266:history / Q000379:methods; D015626:Tissue Expansion / Q000266:history* / Q000379:methods; D015625:Tissue Expansion Devices / Q000266:history