Tissue Expanders in Post-Burn Alopecia: With or Without Galeotomies

The document reports on a study with 30 patients who had post-burn alopecia and were treated with subgaleal tissue expanders at Menofia University Hospital from September 2010 to November 2014. The study compared the effectiveness of using tissue expanders with galeotomies (Group A, 10 patients) to using them without galeotomies (Group B, 20 patients). Galeotomies are incisions in the scalp's galea to improve tissue flexibility. The findings indicated that Group A achieved the required tissue expansion in 4 weeks, compared to 6 weeks for Group B, and could tolerate larger volumes of saline per session (45-50 mL for Group A versus 20-25 mL for Group B) without experiencing pain. Additionally, Group B had a 50% incidence of expander exposure, while Group A had none. The study concluded that tissue expanders with galeotomies provided better outcomes, suggesting that galeotomies may lower complication risks and enhance the expansion process. The document also highlights the need for larger studies to confirm these results and recommends performing galeotomies under direct vision to reduce bleeding risks, along with using a suction drain postoperatively.