title: External tissue expansion for difficult wounds using a simple cost effective technique.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To study and discuss role of external tissue expansion and wound closure (ETEWC) technique using hooks and rubber bands.
  
  
  METHODS
  The present study is a retrospective analysis of nine cases of wounds of different aetiology where ETEWC technique was applied using hooks and rubber bands.
  
  
  RESULTS
  All the wounds in the study healed completely without split thickness skin graft (SSG) or flap.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  ETEWC technique using hooks and rubber bands is a cost-effective technique which can be used for wound closure without SSG or flap.
authors.affiliation: Department of Plastic Surgery, Jawaharlal Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education and Research (JIPMER), Puducherry, India.
authors.forename: Vijayaraghavan
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Nandhagopal
authors.affiliation: Department of Plastic Surgery, Jawaharlal Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education and Research (JIPMER), Puducherry, India.
authors.forename: Ravi Kumar
authors.initials: RK
authors.lastname: Chittoria
authors.affiliation: Department of Plastic Surgery, Jawaharlal Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education and Research (JIPMER), Puducherry, India.
authors.forename: Devi Prasad
authors.initials: DP
authors.lastname: Mohapatra
authors.affiliation: Department of Plastic Surgery, Jawaharlal Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education and Research (JIPMER), Puducherry, India.
authors.forename: Friji Meethale
authors.initials: FM
authors.lastname: Thiruvoth
authors.affiliation: Department of Plastic Surgery, Jawaharlal Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education and Research (JIPMER), Puducherry, India.
authors.forename: Dinesh Kumar
authors.initials: DK
authors.lastname: Sivakumar
authors.affiliation: Department of Plastic Surgery, Jawaharlal Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education and Research (JIPMER), Puducherry, India.
authors.forename: Arjun
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ashokan
keywords: External tissue expansion wound closure (ETEWC); hooks; rubber bands