Endoscopic tissue expansion of the upper extremity

Endoscopic tissue expansion of the upper extremity has been facilitated by the use of balloon dissectors. These dissectors can be placed in fascial clefts and then inflated with either air or saline. Because of the natural tissue planes large pockets can be created rapidly with balloons that obviate the need for open dissection. Advantages such as immediate fill of expanders, more rapid completion of expansion, and less risk of extrusion are advantages of this new technique for tissue expansion of the upper extremity.