15.  How do children do with tissue expansion?  (PRS 1996; 98:1242)

Answer:
In an analysis of 180 expanders at UT Southwestern, several risk factors were identified in children for increased risk of complications. The complications included: implant exposure, implant deflation, wound dehiscence, filling port problems, seroma/hematoma, pain, infection, delayed healing. In this series the following risk factors were significant: burns and soft tissue loss, age < 7 years, internal port, >1 prior expansion, extremities.
 

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