SURGICAL PROCEDURES
SKIN EXPANDERS
The skin's ability to expand occurs naturally during a person's growing phase, the growth of breasts during puberty, as well as the growth of the abdomen during pregnancy. The main advantage in the use of cutaneous expansion consists in the possibility of reconstructing tissue with the same color and texture, without the addition of new scars, thus offering better results than those obtained with skin grafts and distant flaps.
The use of tissue expanders began in Professor Ivo Pitanguy's Practice (Ivo Pitanguy Clinic and 38th Infirmary of Santa Casa de Misericórdia hospital) in the 80's, and are currently are widely used in numerous situations: to correct damage from trauma or burns, in post-mastectomy breast reconstruction, and to correct acquired or congenital deformities.
Skin expanders are empty silicone balloons placed beneath the normal skin that is beside the deformity. The balloons are inflated or filled with saline solution, in a process that lasts 45 to 60 days, thus distending the normal skin. During a second surgical procedure, the expanders are removed and the skin is expanded over the injured area, at which time the deformed skin is removed.
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SKIN EXPANDERS
The skin's ability to expand occurs naturally during a person's growing phase, the growth of breasts during puberty, as well as the growth of the abdomen during pregnancy. The main advantage in the use of cutaneous expansion consists in the possibility of reconstructing tissue with the same color and texture, without the addition of new scars, thus offering better results than those obtained with skin grafts and distant flaps.
The use of tissue expanders began in Professor Ivo Pitanguy's Practice (Ivo Pitanguy Clinic and 38th Infirmary of Santa Casa de Misericórdia hospital) in the 80's, and are currently are widely used in numerous situations: to correct damage from trauma or burns, in post-mastectomy breast reconstruction, and to correct acquired or congenital deformities.
Skin expanders are empty silicone balloons placed beneath the normal skin that is beside the deformity. The balloons are inflated or filled with saline solution, in a process that lasts 45 to 60 days, thus distending the normal skin. During a second surgical procedure, the expanders are removed and the skin is expanded over the injured area, at which time the deformed skin is removed.
<< Back