Understanding Tissue Expanding for Burn Scars

Why tissue expanding is done

Tissue expanding can provide healthy skin that matches the color and texture of a burned area. It's often used for burns on the face and neck. It's also good for those on the scalp because hair will often grow back. 

How tissue expanding is done 

For this treatment, a surgeon must first put the expander under the skin. This procedure is done in a hospital or surgical center. During the treatment: 

• Your child is given medicine to make them sleepy. Your child won’t feel any pain during the procedure.

• The surgeon makes a small cut in your child’s skin where the expander will go.

• The surgeon puts the expander under the skin.

• The expander is filled with saline.

• The surgeon closes the cut.

Your child may need to take antibiotics after the procedure to prevent infection.

After the incision has healed, your child will see their health care provider regularly over several weeks to have the expander filled. This will stretch the skin. Once the skin has been stretched enough, your child will have another procedure to take out the expander. The surgeon will then be able to remove burned skin and replace it with the extra skin. The surgeon will take steps to minimize any scars from the surgery. 

Tissue expanding can be repeated. But the skin in an area may thin over time, making it harder to do.

Risks of tissue expanding

• Infection

• Expander may move out of place

• Expander may leak or break

• Expander port may break

• Bad bruise where the expander is placed