USE OF THE BALLOON DISSECTOR IN MINIMALLY INVASIVE AESTHETIC AND RECONSTRUCTIVE SURGERY

The use of minimally invasive surgery continues to evolve in all field s of surgery with new developments in techniques and instrumentation. One instrument that has evolved and become useful in the field of plas tic surgery is the balloon dissector. The purpose of this paper is to examine the role of the balloon dissector in minimally invasive aesthe tic and reconstructive plastic surgery, We define the concept of the f ascial cleft-the loose areolar space between fascial linings. in addit ion, the balloon dissector and its use is described, The optical cavit y created by the balloon dissector device is discussed, along with the two techniques used to maintain the optical cavity, and manual retrac tion and carbon dioxide insufflation. The application of the balloon d issector in various regions of the body is discussed along with its us e in free tissue transfers. Three patients are presented to illustrate the application of the balloon dissector.