PMC3539112_01
Preoperative appearance of patient (before tissue expansion).
jkss-84-61-g001.jpg
PMC3539112_01_jkss-84-61-g001.jpg
F1
After epithelization of the defect approximately ten months later (Fig. 1), reconstruction of the abdominal wall was planned.
Appearance after inflation of tissue expanders to total volume of 2,350 mL each.
jkss-84-61-g002.jpg
PMC3539112_01_jkss-84-61-g002.jpg
F2
Over the next several weeks, the expanders were gradually inflated to a total volume of 2,350 mL each over a period of four months (Fig. 2).
Appearance after removal of expanders and granulation tissue over intestines.
jkss-84-61-g003.jpg
PMC3539112_01_jkss-84-61-g003.jpg
F3
The expanders were removed (Fig. 3) and since the fascial defect was too large to close primarily, utilizing prosthetic mesh (expanded polytetrafluoroethylene; GORE-TEX soft tissue patch) (Fig. 4) in conjunction with tissue expanders, the abdominal wall defect was reconstructed.
Appearance of patients two months later.
jkss-84-61-g005.jpg
PMC3539112_01_jkss-84-61-g005.jpg
F5
The tissue expansion process was well tolerated by the patient (Fig. 5).