The use of serial tissue expansion in pediatric plastic surgery.

There are clinical situations in which even despite the use of simultaneous multiple tissue expanders, complete coverage of a defect cannot be achieved. In this situation, serial, repeated tissue expansion may be indicated. There are few studies that have reported repeated tissue expansion in pediatric plastic surgery. Twelve children (6 girls, 6 boys) with a mean age of 7 years underwent serial tissue expansion for giant hairy nevus (N = 3) or burn reconstruction (N = 9). A total of 63 tissue expanders were used. Serial expansion of the expanded flap was performed a second time in 12 children, a third time in 6 children, and a fourth time in 2 children. The major complication rate was 4% for the first expansion, and 20%, 18%, and 0% for the second, third, and fourth expansions respectively. Clinically, at the time of expander reinsertion, there was no evidence of capsule from the previous expander in any patient. This was confirmed on histological examination of 12 biopsy specimens. Repeated tissue expansion is a safe and effective procedure for use in pediatric plastic surgery.