Exteriorization of buried port to salvage infected tissue expander.
OBJECTIVE
Since removal of an infected tissue expander is very disappointing to both the surgeon and the patient, every effort is directed toward its salvage. This study evaluates a new method to salvage infected tissue expanders.


METHODS
Of 66 tissue expanders applied at different sites in the body, 12 developed infection. Salvage was carried out by exteriorizing the buried port, followed by irrigation through the pocket of the tube that connects the port to the expander.


RESULTS
Salvage was successful in 9 of the infected tissue expanders and failed in 3 cases. The ports were not dependent in these 3 cases.


CONCLUSIONS
Exteriorization of dependent ports allows adequate drainage, good access for irrigation, and completion of expansion.
Elshahat
Ahmed
A
Ain Shams University, 38 Elshaheed Said Afify Ali St, Ard Elgolf, Nasr City, 11371 Cairo, Egypt. Elshahat70@hotmail.com