Tissue expander
Cosmetic Surgery - Plastic Surgery - Aesthetic Medicine - Reconstructive Surgery
The term “tissue expander» takes in various other terms used for this
type of prosthesis: "Expander", “Expandor” and «inflatable tissue
expansion implant" In most cases the tissue expander is temporary, it
is removed when sufficient skin expansion has been obtained and, in
the case of breast reconstruction, is followed by the insertion of a
breast implant.
The tissue expander is implanted under the healthy skin and gradually
inflated, regularly "expanded" by injections of saline (using a small
valve) over a period of several weeks (on average three months) until
the desired volume is reached. The tissue expander will take advantage
of the natural elasticity of the skin, new skin will grow alongside
skin imperfections (scars, burns, congenital abnormalities and trauma)
or the scar left by a breast removed after mastectomy following breast
cancer. The tissue expander can also be used in the reconstruction of
the lips and eyelids.
The tissue expander is a device that resembles a ball and comes in
various shapes (round, rectangular, crescent-shaped etc.). It is placed
under healthy skin.
When the tissue expander is sufficiently inflated, the new skin will
form replacement tissue ideally situated for treating the scar and
repairing or reconstructing a breast by insertion of a permanent breast
implant. In the case of breast reconstruction, the tissue expander is
inserted through the mastectomy scar.
The advantage of this method is the absence of additional scarring,
the absence of any need to use o musculocutaneous flaps and perfect
adaptation to the future volume of the breast implant. Moreover, this
technique of tissue expansion allows a larger breast implant to be
inserted than would be possible without expansion. This may be useful
when symmetrising the other breast.
The disadvantage of the tissue expander in breast reconstruction is
the need for additional surgery to insert tissue expander and also the
need for weekly inflation. It can be difficult in the case of a
previously irradiated chest wall.
The tissue expander has become an important tool in aesthetic and reconstructive plastic surgery.
Do not forget that plastic, aesthetic or reconstructive surgery
involves uncommon, difficult procedures, requiring a lot of rigour,
carrying all the risks associated with any medical procedure
(anaesthesia and surgery) even when carried out under the most
favourable conditions, that is to say by a competent plastic surgeon.
Without overstating the risk, a proportion of risks exist. Turning to a
qualified plastic surgeon can prevent complications or help to treat
them effectively.