Outcomes of Tissue Expander Application for Scalp Reconstruction in Extensive Aplasia Cutis Congenita
November 2015
in “
Aesthetic Plastic Surgery
”
Aplasia Cutis Congenita tissue expanders scalp reconstruction split-thickness skin grafts alopecia soft tissue defects distal flap necrosis expander removal infection calvarium hyperostosis cranioplasty ACC skin grafts hair loss tissue defects flap necrosis expander infection bone thickening skull surgery
TLDR Using tissue expanders for scalp reconstruction in patients with extensive Aplasia Cutis Congenita is effective and has minimal complications.
The study reviewed the medical records of six patients with extensive Aplasia Cutis Congenita (ACC) who underwent scalp reconstruction using tissue expanders. The patients, with an average age of 14.5 years, were initially treated with split-thickness skin grafts and later received tissue expanders and scalp flap applications to correct alopecia and soft tissue defects. The mean follow-up period was 8.6 years, and the mean size of grafted areas was 69.5 cm². Complications were minimal, with only one case of distal flap necrosis and one expander removal due to infection. CT scans showed intact calvarium with patchy hyperostosis, and clinical examination revealed acceptable cosmetic results. The study concluded that late expander scalp reconstruction is a viable management strategy for extensive ACC, suggesting that early cranioplasty can be reserved for more complicated cases.
