Abstract
A new technique for the insertion of skin expanders by videoendoscopy is herein described. The skin expander is inserted via a pouch previously prepared above the fascia. Such pouch, obtained by videoendoscopy, has a very precisely fitting size and is less gravated by complications. We have performed 22 such operations on 19 patients (10 men and 9 women). Among the advantages are the avoidance of extensive subcutaneous undermining, of incisions too close to the pouch with subsequent exposure of the expander and a better control of bleeding. Furthermore, up to 50-60% of the device can be filled intraoperatively thus reducing post-operative filling time and patient's discomfort. The infection rate is the same as for traditional techniques. In our patient, we observed a 22.7% complication rate. A peculiar complication was seen in a young woman with a burn scar, namely compression of the median nerve. The disadvantages of this method include the high costs of the equipment and the necessity for specific training.
Translated title of the contribution | Skin expander insertion by videoendoscopy |
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Original language | Italian |
Pages (from-to) | 201-206 |
Number of pages | 6 |
Journal | Rivista Italiana di Chirurgia Plastica |
Volume | 29 |
Issue number | 3 |
Publication status | Published - 1997 |
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Surgery