Thesis (M.Sc.) - Cairo University - Faculty of Medicine - Department of General Surgery

Tissue expansion has become a major reconstructive modality over the past 30 years. Tissue expansion allows for reconstruction of defects with neighboring tissue of similar color, texture, sensation, thickness, and hair-bearing capability. Different rates of expansion have been described, and in this study, we compared the effects of the rapid rate (3 times per week ) versus the conventional slow rate (once a week) in expansion of tissue expanders. Over 12 months, 30 expanders were inserted in 23 patients .15 expanders were injected slowly (once a week). While 15 expanders were injected rapidly (3 times per week). The 2 study groups were compared according to complications , skin flap viability and the satisfaction rate . The study results showed that the complication rate were nearly equal , and the skin flap quality in both was the same.But the patient satisfaction was very much with the rapid rate. So, we concluded that is no biological significant difference between the slow and rapid expansion rates. And in the choosing of the expansion rate, we can make it individualized depending on the patient's tolerance and preference, but certain measures should be taken in mind to minimize the incidence of complications as selection of patients, detailed pre-operative instructions to the patients, an aseptic condition during injection sessions, and aggressive treatment at the occurrence of complications

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