TISSUE EXPANSION WITH ENDOSCOPY

Tissue expansion is a time-honored technique in plastic surgery, Howev er, while it is possible to rectify quite severe problems, the techniq ue is not free of complications (e.g., extrusion) and, moreover, it ca n be a lengthy procedure, often taking months, Endoscopy is increasing ly being used in plastic surgery and has the advantage that large area s can be dissected using only small incisions. However, in endoscopic plastic surgery the main problem is the lack of an optical cavity. Thi s means that special retractors are needed to keep skin and fat tissue lifted. This paper describes a technique for the placement of tissue expanders during endoscopy. incisions are not made in the area that is to be expanded and, thus, there is no risk of extrusion and tissue ex panders can be fully inflated intraoperatively. A further advantage is that the procedure reduces patient discomfort to a minimum.