Abstract

SOROLLA, J.P. et al. Tissue expansion in reconstruction of craniofacial defects: multicenter retrospective study. Cir. plást. iberolatinoam. [online]. 2014, vol.40, n.4, pp.413-420. ISSN 1989-2055.  https://dx.doi.org/10.4321/S0376-78922014000400008.

Our goal is to describe and analyze the use of tissue expanders for reconstruction of craniofacial defects in 3 highly complex centers in the country (Chile). Corresponds to a retrospective study of patients treated at Hospital Militar de Santiago, Clinica Alemana e Instituto de Neurocirugia Asenjo between 2004 and 2012 by defects in the craniofacial area. We collected in a total of 37 patients medical data, demographic data, operation time, volume, number of expanders used, photographic records, complications, volume overexpansion, and a questionnaire regarding patients' satisfaction with the use of tissue expander. Adequate coverage of the defect was obtained in all cases. In 16 patients (43,2 %) using 2 tissue expanders; in 15 (40,5 %) with 1 expander; in 4 (10,8 %) with 3 expanders and in 2 (5,4 %) with 4 expanders. Total treatment time corresponded on average to 70 days, with a percentage of minor complications in 35,1 % patients and major complications in 2,7 % patients. Regarding the applied questionnaire we obtained 94,6 % of positive responses regarding the final result of the surgery; only 54,1 % of the patients would recommend this method of tissue expansion to a third party. In our study, a good final result was achieved with low rate of major complications and a high rate of satisfaction in the outcome of surgery by patients. The administration of the questionnaire is useful for obtaining more objective information regarding the review of this process by patients undergoing this surgery.

Keywords : Craniofacial; Craneofacial reconstruction; Tissue expanders.

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