Expansion cutanée dans les alopécies cicatricielles du cuir chevelu : 18 cas

Summary Introduction Skin expansion technique used to increase the hair surface available at the scalp level was a major breakthrough in the surgical treatment of important cicatricial alopecia. This article had for aim to define the importance and limits of this technique in the treatment of alopecia and to highlight its relevance compared to other methods. Patients and methods Between November 1998 and April 2006, 18 patients (7 women and 11 men) presenting with one or many cicatricial alopecia areas were treated by skin expansion. The age of patients ranged between 14 and 68 years, with an average of 33 years. The indications were related to burn sequels in 44% of all cases. The average area of alopecia was 167 cm 2 . This technique combines two operating phases. In the first phase, the expansion balloon is inserted and then gradually filled. In the second phase, it is removed and the alopecic area is covered by the expanded flaps. Results Thirty-nine expansion prostheses were used, with an average volume of 292 cc. Their number varied between 1 and 6 (two on average) for each patient. The average duration of expansion was 77 days. The tissue gained with this technique allowed the use of 38 flaps. The transposition flaps was the most frequently used (39.4%). The rate of major complications leading to total failure of the process reached 5.5%. The final result was considered good in 90% of the cases. Discussion The results demonstrate that skin expansion technique is a simple, reliable, and efficient method in the healing of important cicatricial alopecia of scalp. It enables a wider use of the classical local flap technique, by expanding the surface and vascularization allowing for a direct suturing of the donor site. Skin expansion holds an important place in the treatment of significant skin cicatricial alopecia, since it represents the only surgical solution when the alopecia area exceeds 50 cm 2 .