Mitotic activity in expanded human skin.
In 20 patients subjected to breast reconstruction by means of tissue expansion, a skin biopsy was obtained at the vertex of the breast before and the day after expansion. Samples were incubated in [3H]thymidine, and the number of labeled cells were counted. A statistically significant rise in the number of labeled basal and suprabasal keratinocytes was seen after expansion. The findings suggest a net gain of tissue not only by stretching but also by formation of new tissue generated by tissue expansion.
Olenius
M
M
Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Karolinska Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden.
Dalsgaard
C J
CJ
Wickman
M
M
D001706:Biopsy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016462:Mammaplasty; D008938:Mitosis; D012867:Skin / Q000166:cytology*; D015626:Tissue Expansion