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The use of recycled tissue expander in soft-tissue reconstruction: our experience in a resource-constrained setting
Abstract
Background: Reconstruction of scar excision defects with expanded flaps is a veritable option in reconstruction but unaffordable to patients in resource-poor settings. The recycling of the expanders is avoided for fear of infection. The study presents our preliminary experience with recycled tissue expanders in a resource-constrained setting.
Patients/Methods: This is a retrospective study of all patients who had tissue expansion using recycled expanders. The expanders were sterilized by boiling intermittently in sterile water over 12 hours and washed with ceftriazone just before surgery.
Results: A total of 14 expanders were used in all female patients with mean age of 25 years. About 71% of cases had successful expansion while 29% had implant extrusion of which only 7% was severe and had termination of expansion.
Conclusion: The success with recycled tissue expanders presents an opportunity to offer a reconstructive care to resource-constrained patients and improve the volume of patients undergoing expansion.