Reconstruction of Alopecia by Scalp Expansion

Yang, Jung Min; Jeong, Jae Ho; Seul, Jung Hyun

Abstract

Tissue expansion has been used for several decades in plastic and reconstructive surgery. Recently tissue expansion of the hair bearing scalp provides an excellent surgical option for the treatment of wide alopecia. During the period 1990 to 2001, 34 patients, 37 cases of wide alopecia with various causes were treated using tissue expansion. Choice of the size, shape, and the numbers of the expander was done by a senior author. The capsule of the expanded tissue remained intact and transposition flaps were use to redistribute expanded scalp. For three patients, serial expansion was performed to completely remove the remaining alopecia. Another patients with male pattern baldness were also successfully treated using tissue expansion technique. In conclusion, tissue expansion for alopecia is a simple, safe, and reliable method and provides excellent aesthetic results. It is the treatment of choice for wide alopecia due to burn, tumor excision, traffic accident and even for male pattern baldness.