title: An alternative method of using an interpositional silicone sheet in tissue expansion.
abstract: To reduce the rate of complications in tissue expansion, we placed a silicone sheet between the expander and the tissue above it in a rat model. In the rats in group 1 (n = 10), the expanders were placed under the dorsal skin. The expanders were inflated with up to 45 mL of saline solution. In group 2 (n = 10), a silicone sheet was inserted between the tissue expander and the skin, after which the procedure used in group 1 was performed. The blood flow was reduced at the dome (center [C]) of the expanders in groups 1C and 2C to a degree greater than that in the expanded skin in groups 1 and 2 far periphery. However, the flow was significantly better in group 2C than in group 1C. Histologic analysis showed that the dermal and capsular tissues were significantly thicker in group 2C than in group 1C. In our opinion, placing a silicone sheet between the expander and the tissue above it seems to be beneficial. This may reduce the incidence of complications, especially the expander extrusion in this model.
authors.affiliation: Department of Plastic, Reconstructive, and Esthetic Surgery, Baskent University Faculty of Medicine, Ankara, Turkey. hnborman@yahoo.com
authors.forename: Huseyin
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Borman
authors.forename: Murat
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Deniz
authors.forename: Taner
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Bahar
authors.forename: Banu
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Bilezikci
authors.forename: Hale
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Tufan
authors.forename: Mehmet
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Haberal
mesh_terms: D000792:Angiography; D000818:Animals; D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D001772:Blood Cell Count; D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000502:physiology; D062109:Dermatologic Surgical Procedures; D020405:Dermis / Q000473:pathology; D004906:Erythrocyte Count; D017078:Laser-Doppler Flowmetry; D008297:Male; D008852:Microradiography; D023421:Models, Animal; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D012039:Regional Blood Flow / Q000502:physiology; D012828:Silicones; D012867:Skin / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D040521:Subcutaneous Tissue / Q000473:pathology; D015626:Tissue Expansion / Q000295:instrumentation*; D015625:Tissue Expansion Devices
chemical_list: D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D012828:Silicones