Management of the complications of tissue expansion during a 5-year period (2005-2010).
We report our experience of using tissue expansion where we deal particularly with complications and their management. Forty patients had tissue expanded during a 5-year period (2005-2010). Indications included reconstruction of a scar (after a burn, after injury, or postoperative), congenital naevi, microtia, and breast reconstruction after mastectomy. Of the 50 expanders inserted, complications occurred in 12 (10 patients). Exposure and perforation of the expander were the most common complications, followed by infection, seroma, and local pain. In all cases, complications were managed successfully either by conservative treatment or by a single procedure. The reconstructive plan ended in an acceptable aesthetic result in 9 of the 10 complicated areas. The insertion of multiple expanders over extensive scar tissue and particularly over the lower limb, is associated with high morbidity. Selection of patients, identification of high-risk sites, and suggestions for treatment are important. When complications occur, immediate management usually results in a successful outcome.
Plastic Surgery Department, Medical School, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Papageorgiou General Hospital, Thessaloniki, Greece. krgeleni@gmail.com
Eleni
E
Karagergou
Athanasios
A
Papas
Pericles
P
Foroglou
Euterpi
E
Demiri
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007239:Infections / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D019651:Plastic Surgery Procedures; D049291:Seroma / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy; D015626:Tissue Expansion / Q000009:adverse effects*; D015625:Tissue Expansion Devices / Q000009:adverse effects; D055815:Young Adult