Six tissue expansion sessions of the scalp for reconstruction of post-burn alopecia

J Burn Care Res. 2008 Mar-Apr;29(2):390-4. doi: 10.1097/BCR.0b013e318166753e.

Abstract

Postburn scalp alopecia has severe aesthetic and psychological implications. We describe herein a case of a 16-year-old girl suffering from postburn scalp alopecia consisting of approximately 70% of her scalp, with only some residual patches of hair in her left occipital and nuchal areas. The patient underwent six serial tissue expansions during a period of 8 years, thereby enabling coverage of a significant part of the scalp area, with advancement of the hair line laterally and anteriorly. The outcome of this case serves to reinforce the practice of multiple tissue expansion to the scalp, with minimal hair loss and some hair thinning, resulting in a satisfactory aesthetic outcome.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Alopecia / etiology
  • Alopecia / surgery*
  • Burns / complications
  • Burns / surgery*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Infant
  • Plastic Surgery Procedures / methods*
  • Scalp / surgery*
  • Time Factors