Tissue Expanders

The tissue expansion is a surgical technique to cause skin and soft tissues to grow additional tissue by implanting a balloon (expander) that is inflated, and then this expanded tissue can be used in reconstructive surgery processes.

Types of tissue expansion

Rapid expansion
This method requires daily expansion for a short period of time.

Slow tissue expansion
This is the most commonly used method of expansion. Pressure and volume of the balloon is increased by incremental injections of sterile saline into the balloon over weekly time periods so as to create additional new skin. Once the desired tissue is generated the expansion device is removed.

Intraoperative tissue expansion
Intraoperative is used in the reconstruction of defects of head and neck, or in defects that can be difficult to repair.

Continuous tissue expansion
Continuous tissue expansion is applied through an external expander that has a valve fixed in the expander wall. The expander is gradually filled with continuous expander application of sterile saline.

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*	Reconstructive nose surgery
*	Ear reconstruction
*	Breast reconstruction
*	Dermabrasion
*	Scars and keloids
*	Lipoinjection fat transfer

What is an expander tissue?

There are different types of tissue expanders. The most commonly used is the tissue expander with valve, like a balloon, which is equipped with a tiny valve, through which saline can be pumped. The valve allows controlling the expander filling. Hypodermic needles are used to introduce the saline into the expander

Use of tissue expanders

What procedures use expanders?

Tissue expanders are a tool for reconstructive surgery. Tissue expanders can be used for reconstructing breasts following mastectomies. Our section about Breast reconstruction/Tissue expanders provides complete information on this medical practice along with recommendations and instructions. The tissue expander technique is also used for improving scars, in the reconstructive treatment of burns, in the treatment of male baldness, and in the correction of the clubfoot or talipes equinovarus condition. In those patients with large skin lesions, tissue expanders may generate new tissue. Face and neck skin is irreplaceable because of its unique characteristics of color and texture. Tissue expansion has numerous advantages in the treatment of facial and neck skin lesions. The tissue expanders provide similar skin of the treated area, and avoid leaving a new scar at the site of the body where the donor tissues came from.

Tissue expansion technique

How is the tissue expansion technique performed?

Preoperative planning for tissue expansion includes:

	Preoperative estimation of the area to be treated.
	Careful shape and size expander selection.
	Careful planning of the tissue expander insertion site.
	Location of the expander integrated or remote valve.
	Tissue to be excised.
	Tissue transplantation.

The tissue expansion technique is developed through various steps. Initially, the tissue expander placement is performed via dissection of a subcutaneous pocket under the skin large enough to accept the expander. Most surgeons place drainage tubes to drain the wound. Once the tissue expander is in place, the wound is closed and the expander is gradually filled with sterile saline through a tiny valve. Days after the procedure, when the incision has healed, the patient is asked to return to the surgeon´s office periodically so that the expander can be filled with additional sterile saline. Once the tissue has grown enough to generate the desired tissue, the expander is removed.