Abrar-ul Hassan Pirzada, Naveed A Khan, Muhammad Saad Faisal, Sidra Dil Muhammad.
Short term outcome of facial reconstruction of burn patients with tissue expanders.
J Sharif Med Dent Coll Jan ;2(02):73-6.

Objective: To observe the short term and cosmetic outcome of facial reconstruction of burn patients with tissue expanders. Methodology: This study was conducted in Sharif Medical City Hospital, Lahore from June 2010 till June 2013. A total of 20 patients of age 17 30 years with facial and neck burn were selected after informed consent. All the patients received treatment with tissue expanders. All surgeries were done under general anaesthesia. All the patients were followed up to 6 week after reconstruction for any complications (expander extrusion, expander site infection, hematoma or necrosis of injection port site). Patients having no complications were labeled as success. The cosmetic outcomes based on assimilation of color and thickness with surrounding skin color and satisfaction were also measured. Results: Indications for tissue expansion were, fire burn in 13 (65%) patients and acid burn in 7 (35%) patients. Out of 20 patients, 15 (75%) were females and 5(25%) were males. Most common complication was infection in 2 (10%) patients, for which expander had to be removed. There was no other complication. The donor site was covered in 18 (90%) cases and hence the success was achieved in 18 (90%) patients. Flap color and texture assimilation was achieved in 18(90%) patients. Satisfaction was very good in 16(80%) patients. Conclusion: Tissue expansion is a safe and feasible technique with high success rates for faces and neck area reconstruction. Keywords: Tissue expander. Acid burn. Grafts.

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