title: Reconstructive surgery of extensive face and neck burn scars using tissue expanders.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Neck reconstruction is considered as one of the most important surgeries in cosmetic and reconstructive surgery. The present study aimed to assess the results of reconstructive surgery of extensive face and neck burning scars using tissue expanders.
  
  
  METHODS
  This descriptive prospective study was conducted on 36 patients with extensive burning scars on the neck and face. Operation for tissue expander insertion was performed and tissue distension started two or three weeks later, depending on the patients' incisions. After sufficient time for tissue expansion, while removing the expander and excision of the lesion, the expanded flap was used to cover the lesion. Overall, 43 cosmetic surgeries were done.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Rectangular expanders were employed in most patients (73.81%) and were located in the neck in most of them (60.78%). Complications were detected in five patients (13.89%), with exposure of the prosthesis being the most common one. Scar tissues at the reconstruction site and the flap donor site were acceptable in 94.44% and 98.18% of the cases, respectively. Overall, most of the patients (77.78%) were satisfied with the operation results.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Using tissue expanders in tissue reconstruction of extensive neck and facial burning scars results in highly desirable outcomes.
authors.affiliation: Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Shafa Hospital, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran;
authors.forename: Mohammad Reza
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: Ashab Yamin
authors.affiliation: Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, 15 Khordad Hospital, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran;
authors.forename: Naser
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Mozafari
authors.affiliation: Medical School, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran;
authors.forename: Mohadase
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Mozafari
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Physics, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran.
authors.forename: Zahra
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Razi
keywords: Burn; Reconstruction; Scar; Tissue expander