Management of burn deformities using tissue expanders: A retrospective comparative analysis between tissue expansion in limb and non-limb sites

The tissue expansion technique is in the armamentaria in reconstructive surgery. It provides donor skin that is an optimal match in terms of skin color, texture, sensation and hair-bearing characteristics. Literature shows its applications in all regions from the head to the feet. Tissue expansion in extremities, however, carries a high rate of complications. Fortunately, not every complication in tissue expansion means failure.ObjectiveA retrospective comparative analysis between tissue expansion in limb and non-limb sites in burn deformities.Materials and methodsSixty expanders in 53 patients were included. These constitute the experience of a single surgeon. Forty expanders (66.6%) were applied to non-limb sites and 20 expanders (33.3%) to limb sites. Indications of tissue expansion were burn alopecia, scarring and contracture. Complications and failures were recorded.ResultsNon-limb expanders had 10% rate of complications and 2.5% of failure. Limb expanders showed 30% complications and 15% failure. Statistical analysis showed that the difference was non-significant at this statistical power.ConclusionThe non-significant difference regarding complication and failure rates between limb and non-limb expanders in this study encourages the use of tissue expanders in extremities. Close follow-up of patients will prevent many expanders that develop complications from becoming failures.