Tissue Expansion for Breast Reconstruction

Tissue expansion, especially in noncompliant skin and in high BMI patients, can be detrimental to the physical health of patients. The patient's general health must be considered and a plan generated prior to initiating the procedure.

Results from a recent paper has shown that the tissue expansion, as used in patients with skin and/or oral mucous membrane transplantation, does not cause the common complications of tissue expansion after surgery, such as the appearance of new neovessels and, therefore, a worsening of skin redness and hyperpigmentation.

There has been no clear proof of cure for TE. The use of a biopsy to obtain tissue (expander fill) from a different site would not be advisable, as biopsy specimens cannot always be reliably obtained. Since TE has been used for hundreds of years there can now be no question of its effectiveness as a treatment.

Approximately 35,000 people develop tissue expansion secondary to previous plastic surgery. Approximately 80-100 people develop a third of all tissue expander revisions. This article, however, highlights the most commonly used technique of tissue expansion and resultant morbidity and complications. The author highlights potential risk and adverse events associated with tissue expansion secondary to previous surgery, potential risks associated with the surgery such as bleeding, or necrosis, postoperative edema, and postoperative wound infection. Surgeons need to be aware of the potential risks of tissue expansion.

The most effective wound-healing technique is indicated for small and intermediate size tissue expanses. Because of large tissue expands, the most common signs are wound pain, swelling and erythema. To prevent excessive scars in large tissue expanses, the key factor is to keep wound margins flat and even.

The technique of tissue expansion is a surgical procedure utilizing a vascular network developed for the purpose of facilitating the expansion of the tissue needed for a prosthetic reconstruction. A vascular network in the tissue is a blood-forming meshwork composed of endothelial cells that grow to the site on the host where they attach and form a network of microscopic arterioles. This meshwork is composed of a network of capillaries and in the process, a small venous system is established that connects with the host venous system and allows the transport of nutrients and other molecules. The arterioles can extend and fill up the space with new tissues so that when the tissue is inserted, it retains its 3D form.

Recent findings did not detect any significant effect on clinical improvements or QoL when tissue expansion was combined with any other treatment other than orthopedic surgery.

There are an increasing number of options available for people requiring tissue expansion. Current options do not always lead to the best outcomes, although it can be difficult to determine the best approach since this topic is still in its early stages of research and development. However, current evidence is still limited for common treatments for tissue expansion. More research must be conducted to determine the most effective treatments to use in individuals in order to lead them the best possible outcome.

We find that young people are less likely than older people to gain a total facial expansion and a high total facial expansion, but the overall experience remains positive.

There are many different factors that can affect the success or failure of tissue expansion. There are also many different types of tissue expansion solutions. This knowledge is useful for patients undergoing reconstruction or reconstruction therapy.

Results from a recent clinical trial suggests that a large proportion of patients have secondary causes for their soft tissue tissue expansion. Thus, soft tissue expansion would appear to be only a subset of a larger soft tissue expansion spectrum. Results from a recent clinical trial raises concerns regarding the appropriateness of soft tissue expansion by providing evidence for a lack of consensus among plastic and reconstructive surgeons and medical specialists, whether it be from previous knowledge or practice, as to the primary cause of soft tissue expansion.