TISSUE EXPANSION IN THE PEDIATRIC PATIENT

• Published in: Pediatrics (Evanston) 1999-09, Vol.104 (3), p.732-732
• Main Authors: Hill, Jimmy Scott, Baker, Shan R
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Pediatrics
• ISSN: 0031-4005; 1098-4275

Objective: To study whether tissue expansion is a safe alternative for reconstruction of selected defects in pediatric patients. Design: A retrospective chart review of nine patients sixteen years of age and younger who had soft tissue defects reconstructed with tissue expansion techniques between 1987 and 1996. Results and complication rates are compared with those published for similar adult reconstructions. Setting: Tertiary care medical center. Patients: Nine patients between the ages of one and sixteen years of age. Results: There was an overall minor complication rate of 12.5% with no major complication. This is comparable to complication rates cited for adults. Reconstruction was successful and complete in all patients. Conclusions: Tissue expansion is indicated for the reconstruction of defects where there is inadequate adjacent tissue for closure, when tissue of similar quality and appendages is needed and to avoid donor site morbidity. The diversity of congenital and acquired defects of the head and neck found in pediatric patients make tissue expansion an ideal reconstructive method for many patients. Tissue expansion has been used with great success in the adult population and its use is supported in the literature. Much less has been written about the use of expanders-in children. Concerns over possible increased complications or effects on growth in children have been expressed. This study suggests that tissue expansion is a safe, reliable method of reconstruction for selected head and neck soft tissue defects in the pediatric population.