title: [Application of quantitative tissue expansion in ear reconstruction].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To explore the application of tissue expander in ear reconstruction and to deal with the complications.
  
  
  METHODS
  50 ml kidney-shape tissue expanders were implanted subcutaneously in the mastoid area. The drainage tube was removed 3 days after operation. The suture was removed 10 days later. Since 7 days after operation, 5 ml NS was injected into the expander every time, three times a week. The total injection volume was about 60 ml. After that, the expander was maintained for one month.
  
  
  RESULTS
  From January 1992 to December 2006, 5,248 patients of microtia were treated with 6,252 expander. After the maintaining period, the expanded skin was thin and well-vascularized. The complication rate was 7.79%, including hematoma, malunion and infection.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The quantitative tissue expansion is easily manipulated with few complications. It can provide hairless, thin skin with reliable blood supply for ear reconstruction.
authors.affiliation: Academy of Medical Science, Plastic Surgery Hospital, Beijing 100144, China.
authors.forename: Bo
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Pan
authors.forename: Hai-Yue
authors.initials: HY
authors.lastname: Jiang
authors.forename: Hong-Xing
authors.initials: HX
authors.lastname: Zhuang
authors.forename: Yan-Yong
authors.initials: YY
authors.lastname: Zhao
authors.forename: Qing-Hua
authors.initials: QH
authors.lastname: Yang
authors.forename: Le-Ren
authors.initials: LR
authors.lastname: He
authors.forename: Juan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Han
authors.forename: Shu-Jie
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Lin Chinese
authors.initials: LC
authors.lastname: Lin
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004431:Ear, External / Q000002:abnormalities / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000517:prevention & control*; D019651:Plastic Surgery Procedures / Q000379:methods; D016038:Skin Transplantation; D013524:Surgical Flaps; D015626:Tissue Expansion / Q000379:methods*; D015625:Tissue Expansion Devices; D055815:Young Adult