A HISTORY OF TISSUE EXPANSION - CONCEPTS, CONTROVERSIES, AND COMPLICATIONS

BACKGROUND. Tissue expansion has become a widely used adjunct in recon struction of the skin. OBJECTIVE. To trace the history of the concept of tissue expansion from the ancient to the latest medical literature. METHODS. We reviewed the technologic developments in the materials an d methods of tissue expansion. RESULTS. Tissue expansion is of clinica l importance and can be understood by the biochemical, biomechanical, and histologic features of expanded skin. CONCLUSION. Tissue expansion is becoming widely used and accepted and its continued use under many circumstances is justified by the experimental and clinical results.