Flashcards on Tissue Expansion in Reconstructive Surgery
Tissue Expansion in Reconstructive Surgery: A Student's Guide
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Reconstructive Techniques for the Face and Neck
24 cards
Card 1
Question: How is the expander placed for forehead reconstruction, and where is the incision made to insert the prosthesis during nasal reconstruction using a fo
Answer: The prosthesis (expander) is inserted beneath the frontalis muscle through an incision above the hairline.
Card 2
Question: What is done during the second stage after forehead flap expansion in nasal reconstruction?
Answer: The expander is removed, and the flap, including its capsule, is rotated downwards; the posterior capsule ~2 cm above the supraorbital rim is incised,
Card 3
Question: Why is adequate bone and cartilage support for the nose important when using an expanded forehead flap?
Answer: To prevent contraction of the expanded tissue; without sufficient support, failures occurred in earlier experiences.
Card 4
Question: What grafts are used to reconstruct the nasal dorsum and restore nasal cartilage according to the text?
Answer: The nasal dorsum is reconstructed with a cranial bone or rib graft, which is secured to the nasal bone or skull; nasal cartilage is reconstructed bila
Card 5
Question: How long are nasal stents used after reconstruction, and why?
Answer: Nasal stents are used for 3–4 months to maintain a patent airway while the flap matures.
Card 6
Question: When is the forehead flap divided and inset after its rotation to the nasal area?
Answer: The forehead flap is divided and inset approximately 2 weeks after rotation.
Card 7
Question: When is it appropriate to begin ear reconstruction for microtia according to the text?
Answer: Ear reconstruction in a child should begin at approximately 7 years of age.
Card 8
Question: When is skin expansion useful in ear reconstruction, and where is the expander placed?
Answer: Expansion is useful when there is a deficiency of skin and soft tissue; the expander (custom or rectangular) is placed beneath the remaining non-hair-
Card 9
Question: How long is the expander left in place for ear reconstruction, and what is the effect of expansion on the skin?
Answer: The prosthesis is expanded and left for about 3 months, allowing significant thinning of the overlying skin and tissue maturation, leading to minimal
Card 10
Question: What material is used to create the framework for ear reconstruction after expansion?
Answer: The framework is reconstructed from a carved costal cartilage graft.