Tissue expansion in functional and aesthetic reconstruction of the trunk and extremities. Case report.

To illustrate how the technique of tissue expansion may be adapted for different types of reconstruction, the following cases are described: a 10-year-old girl with a circumferential naevus from shoulder (at the back) and umbilicus (at the front) to the knees; a 3-year-old boy with a severe injury to the left arm; a 36-year-old man with an amputation injury of the left hip; and an 18-year-old girl with scars from a complicated fracture of the left lower leg. In all cases function and/or appearance were considerably improved.