Application Of Soft Tissue Expansion In Craniofacial Plastic And Reconstructive Surgery

Objective: To explore the therapeutic effect of scar or skin defect in head and neck by skin soft tissue expansion. Methods: From May 2003 to September 2009, 61 cases of scar or skin defect in head and neck were repaired by soft tissue expansion. The normal skin and soft tissue were expanded, the scar tissue was resected and the expanded flap was adopted. Result: There were 76 expanders set in 61 patients, incisions of 3 cases were delayed heal, 3 expanders of them were revealed, 2 cases had infectation in region expanded skin, 1 case had hematoma. The expand rates of different part are: chest 17.97ml/d, shoulder 14.68ml/d, scalp 7.89ml/d, neck 5.83ml/d, face 88ml/d, ear 1.25ml/d. Conlusion: To calculate the time of expanding can make sure the precise time of the second operation. Using soft tissue expansion to repair scar or skin defect in head and neck can obtain satisfactory therapeutic effect.