TISSUE EXPANDER APPLICATIONS
Tissue expander applications are attempts to expand the existing skin and transfer it to a nearby or remote site. Tissue expanding balloons are used in a wide variety of areas of the body such as losses of the skin with hair, lack of tissue in the chest area, in the neck, on the arms and on the laces.
The process begins by determining the size of the tissue expander balloon to be used. After the measurements made in the area to be applied, the balloon which is most suitable for that regionis selected and in the first operation this region is opened, then balloon is placed there. There is a pipe connecting to the balloon inflating point. This tube and inflated port called rerservoir usually kept a little further away from the prosthesis. After the first operation, a lightly pressurized dressing is applied to te area. If necessary, a drain is placed and after waiting to heal the tissues about 1-2 weeks, the balloon is started to be inflated with the help of reservoir. The area to be treated in the inflation period shoud not be traumatized and the peron should not be lifted. Depending on the nature of the area to be applied and the size of the tissue expander balloon, the inflation may take from several weeks to several months. Wait for a while after sufficient volume has been reached. This period sometimes lasts for weeks. The balloon is then removed with the second operation and the operation is performed.
The pre-operation technique is discussed in detail and it is decided together whether this technique is sutable for you. The requirement of multiple sessions is one of the most important disadvantages of your technique. At the first stage, the balloon is inserted into the region where it is desired to expand in a hollow manner. In the following days, the balloon is inflated with a reservoir two or three times a week. When the desired volume and extent is reached, the tissue is removed from the balloon and the tissue is moved to the area to be repaired.
While the first and second operations are performed under general anesthesia, no anesthesia is required in the inflating sessions. Inflation is performed by physiological saline injection into the tissue expanding balloon with the aid of a fine needle, following the cleansing region.
During the inflation process, a feeling of pressure and pain may be felt due to the expansion of the skin above the balloon. At this point, the inflation is slowed or stopped if the pain exacerbates.
RISKS OF THE METHOD
The complications that ay arise during this procedure are:
EARLY PERIOD:
Prosthesis puncture nd draining: It can often be a technical problem. Due to a weakness that may occur during the manufacture of the prothesis or at the junction with the reservoir, the prosthesis may escape the fluid contained therein. In this case, the targets of the expansion method cannot be met. The tissue expander balloon needs to be placed. If the problem is a technical problem, the manufacturer usually undertakes the re-replacement of the prosthesis.
Infection: It is a rare complication. However, if a fluid accumulates around the prosthesis and hygienic measures are not tken, infection may occur. In this case, if it is detected early, the problem can be solved with antibiotic use and local wound care. If it reaches very large dimensions, the tissue expanding balloon must be removed.
Bleeding: It is not usually a problem. The possibility of causing complications with the use of drain is reduced.
Wound dissociation: If the tissues are excessively stretched during the inflation stage or during the placement of the prosthesis and the wound is not rested sufficiently after the procedure, the wound dissociation from the stitch area may occur. In this case, the amount of fluid in the prosthesis is decreased to try to reduce the tension in the operation area. If the wound dissociation is too advanced, the tissue expander balloon must be removed.
Excessive pain and numbness.
LATE PERIOD:
If the prosthesis is placed on a bone tissue, a slight depression may develop on the bone.
Bad nerves can occur due to excessive tension.
The hairy may be a hair loss occasionally encountered. Hair loss is usually temporary. After three to four months from now, the hair follicles recover themselves and start to grow hair again.