Abstract
The purpose of this study was to develop a method to remove greater amounts of bald tissue during scalp reduction than has been previously reported with acute tissue expansion, by prolonging local anesthesia as well as the time period of acute tissue expansion. A new method for prolonging the local anesthetic effect was developed, and a tissue expander was placed under the hair- bearing scalp and attached to a tissue compliance measuring device in three patients. Through cyclic loading of the expander for an extended period of time, and with precise pressure monitoring, a marked improvement in scalp reduction results was achieved. All three patients responded dramatically to the procedure, with a 100% increase in the amount of scalp tissue that was removed in Patient 1, a 90% increase in Patient 2, and a 118% increase in Patient 3. Postoperative markings demonstrated minimal stretch-back. Prolonged acute tissue expansion (PÂTÉ) was demonstrated to be an extremely useful adjunct to scalp reduction.
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