Evaluation of using tissue expander for reconstruction of post burn alopecia of scalp

Abstract EN

-Tissue expansion represents one of the major advances in surgery and is particularly applicable to burn reconstruction.

The technique provides tissue of similar texture and color to the defect to be covered and has the added advantage of minimal donor site morbidity.

This study aimed to assess the results & complications in the correction of post burn scalp alopecia using a tissue expansion, prevention of implant extrusion, lower the infection rate in tissue expansion and expander selection.

Forty patients with scalp burn alopecia treated with tissue expansion of the scalp, were included in this prospective study in Sulaimania hospital of burn and reconstructive surgery from February 2002 to September 2009 with age groups ranging from (4-30) years with an average of 15.5 years.

Twenty three patients were females.

The time period between burn injury and reconstruction ranged between (4-25) years, their scalp defects ranging between (5x10cm -13x25cm).

We were able to completely reconstruct 77.5% of the total patients with single or multiple sessions of expansions.

The remaining 22.5% patients have benefited from reduction in the percentage of alopecia and recreation of anterior hair line to camouflage their defects.

Major complications occurred in 6 cases(15%), in which the expansion process interrupted with removal of the expander.

In conclusion, It is not always possible to measure the absolute efficacy of a surgical technique or determine a general guideline its indication of the tissue expansion procedure although afflicted with a broad range of possible complications, the tissue expansion procedure remains a valuable and reliable technique for the reconstruction of post burn alopecia of the scalp.