Reconstruction of 
Cicatrical Alopecia by Scalp Expansion

Keimyung Medical Journal 1998;17(3):373-382.

Reconstruction of Cicatrical Alopecia by Scalp Expansion

조직확장을 이용한 외상성 탈모두피의 재건

최동원

Abstract

Tissue expansion has been used in a wide range of applications since its introduction two decades ago. With tissue expansion; aesthetic subunits can be replaced with tissue of identical or similar quality without extra donor site morbidity. Sensate hair-bearing skin can be expanded and used for any kind of alopecia with satisfaction. The author performed scalp reconstruction to ten patients of cicatrical alopecia using tissue expanders for the last four years. A retrospective chart review was made. Age was 17 years in average (6?29 years). Four patients were male and six were female. A total of 17 expanders were placed to treat frontal; temporoparietal and vertex alopecia Duration of expansion was 11.7 weeks (9~15 weeks). Two major complications were encountered among 17 expanders. There were one case of accidental puncture of the expander envelope during the final phase of expansion and one case of expander exposure which were treated properly without affecting the ultimate reconstruction process. This retrospective study demonstrates that tissue expansion is a versatile method in the treatment of picatrical alopecia of the scalp with excellent cosmetic outcomes.

Key Words: Tissue Expansion, Scalp, Cicatrical Alopecia