Journal of Clinical & Experimental Dermatology Research
Open Access
ISSN: 2155-9554
+44 1478 350008
ISSN: 2155-9554
+44 1478 350008
Ahmed E. Lasheen, Aiman Salim, Mohamad R. Hefny, and Esam Al-Bakly
Department of General Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Zagazig University, Zagazig City, Sharkia, Egypt
Posters & Accepted Abstracts: J Clin Exp Dermatol Res
The practice of internal tissue expansion by implanting a silicone balloon into the soft tissue under the skin is now known to be associated with a significant risk of complications. Therefore, we designed and developed a new technique of mechanical external tissue expansion achieved by using negative pressure created through special valved cups. The subjects were 60 patients suf-fering from postburn scar contractures in different parts of their bodies. A valved cup was applied to the healthy skin on both sides of the scar and negative pressure of 2100 to 2200 mbar was connected to the cup through a special valve for 5h out of every 12 h for 2��?3 weeks preoperatively. During the subsequent operation, the scar was excised, and then the expanded skin was dis-sected followed by wound closure. We were able to excise the scars and close the wounds directly in 14 patients, but needed to perform Z-plasty in the other 46 patients. Some ecchymosis appeared on the skin at the site of application of the cup in the initial stages, when the negative pressure exceeded the upper limits of 2100 to 2200 mbar. The clinical application of external tissue expansion achieved by creating negative pressure shows great promise. The most common technique involves the implantation of a silicone balloon expander beneath the skin during an operation, which is subsequently filled by serial injec-tions of sterile isotonic saline solution over a period of weeks or months to expand the skin. However, this technique is now known to be associated with many complications.3 The disadvantages of these expanders include difficulties in adequate pocket undermining, hematomas, infection, wound dehiscence during expan-sion, and difficulties in inserting the expander with an incorporated valve, in addition to high costs.4 To avoid these disadvantages, we devised a method of external tissue expansion achieved by using negative pressure applied through transparent valved cups.
Email: lasheenahmed@yahoo.com