Tissue expansion in the pediatric patient.

Although tissue expansion has many advantages over other reconstructive options, potential complications require consideration. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the experience of tissue expansion in the infant and child. During the 6-year period from 1985 to 1990, a total of 147 expanders were placed in 76 patients. Age of the patients at the time of insertion of the expanders ranged from 1 to 18 years (median, 8 yr). Twenty of the 76 patients studied suffered from complications, a rate of 26%. Despite the high complication rate, complications did not compromise the final result because they occurred near the end of the expansion period and usually involved one of the many implanted expanders. With the appropriate selection of patients, tissue expansion has proved extremely valuable as a reconstructive option in the pediatric patient.