A tissue expander is used to stretch the skin for your child's treatment. ... with the
process can fill the expanders at home after they have had special training.
Tissue Expanders A tissue expander is used to stretch the skin for your child’s treatment. Your child has had a tissue expander placed. This is like having a balloon under the skin. There is an injection port on the surface of the tissue expander under your child’s skin. The port allows us to inject normal saline into the expander over the next few weeks or months. When the surrounding tissue is expanded enough, the tissue expander will be removed in the Operating Room. The newly expanded skin will be used to cover the area of the skin defect. DISCOMFORT:
There is usually some mild post-operative discomfort the first few days after the surgery as the incisions heal. Acetaminophen (Tylenol®) usually controls the discomfort. Be sure to follow the instructions on the package for the amount to give based on your child’s age and weight. Do not give more than 5 doses in 24 hours.
If more pain than usual is expected a stronger medicine will be prescribed. Do not use ibuprofen (Motrin®, Advil®) or aspirin products.
Do not use heating pads of any type around the tissue expander. A cool compress may be used to help with discomfort. Aloe vera skin lotions may be gently applied if there is itching of the newly expanded skin.
FILLING OF THE TISSUE EXPANDER: A follow-up appointment will be made with the surgeon within 1-2 weeks after putting the tissue expander in. Expansion is not typically begun at this appointment. There may be stitches that need to be removed. At this first post-operative appointment you will be given a prescription for a topical anesthetic cream that will be put on the skin over the injection port prior to the next appointment. It will numb that skin so your child does not feel the needle stick when the expander is filled. This cream should be applied one hour before the appointment. How often the expander will need to be filled depends on a number of things, including the size and location of the expander and how the tissue is tolerating the expansion. Appointments 1 to 2 times each week will be necessary. Some parents who are comfortable with the process can fill the expanders at home after they have had special training. Please let us know if you are interested in learning to do this. The surgeon will still need to see your child to check the skin and the expansion process. The skin overlying the expander should be watched closely to make sure that there is enough blood getting to the skin. This can be done easily by pressing down on the skin over the expander and counting the seconds it takes for the color to return to pink. This is called the capillary refill time. The color should always return within 3 seconds.
CMH-04-261 (10/10) Page 1 of 2
Content Expires on 12/31/2013
Call your child’s doctor at (816) 234-3020 if:
Your child runs a fever above 101˚F (38.3˚C).
Your child is complaining of pain that is not relieved with medication.
There is discoloration, broken skin, or drainage over or around the tissue expander.
Capillary refill time is more than 3 seconds.
You have questions or concerns about the tissue expansion.
The tissue expander site deflates or appears to shrink.
