title: Repeated expansion in burn sequela.
abstract: This paper presents a retrospective study of the use of 346 expanders in 132 patients operated at the Ivo Pitanguy Clinic, between the period of 1985 and 2000. The expanders were used in the treatment of burn sequela. In the majority of cases, more than one expander was used at the same time. In 42 patients, repeated tissue expansion was done. The re-expanded flaps demonstrated good distension and viability. With the increase in area at each new expansion, larger volume expanders were employed, achieving an adequate advancement of the flaps to remove the injured tissue. The great advantage of using tissue re-expansion in the burned patient is the reconstruction of extensive areas with the same color and texture of neighboring tissues, without the addition of new scars.
authors.affiliation: Department of the Pontifical, Institute of Post-Graduate Medical Studies, Catholic University of Rio de Janeiro, 22280-020, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. pitanguy@visualnet.com.br
authors.forename: Ivo
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Pitanguy
authors.forename: Natale Ferreira
authors.initials: NF
authors.lastname: Gontijo de Amorim
authors.forename: Henrique N
authors.initials: HN
authors.lastname: Radwanski
authors.forename: José Eduardo
authors.initials: JE
authors.lastname: Lintz
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002056:Burns / Q000150:complications* / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D002921:Cicatrix / Q000209:etiology* / Q000473:pathology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D015625:Tissue Expansion Devices / Q000009:adverse effects*