Long-term histopathologic evaluation of human expanded skin.

Forty-two patients operated on by skin expansion have been contacted after a mean time of 25 months from the last surgery. Two biopsies have been taken from the expanded area of each patient. In 12 patients it has been possible to obtain a similar sampling from the opposite, nonexpanded area of the body. The samples underwent optic microscopy and cell kinetic and DNA content investigations. The epidermal structure of the followed-up skin, compared with the skin of the opposite side of the body, looks normal. The mitotic activity of the epidermal cells has returned to the values of preexpanded skin. The dermis shows a low degree of elastosis and zonal fragmentation of elastic fibers. The hypodermis, where the expander capsule was removed during the last surgery, does not show an accentuated fibrosis.