ABSTRACT
Scars in the head and neck caused by trauma or extirpative surgery can present a significant
problem to the patient and may require revision. A variety of techniques, both surgical
and nonsurgical, exists for treatment of unsightly scars. Surgical excision of scars
relies upon recruitment of local tissue for closure of the ensuing defect. Tissue
expansion and serial scar excision may be used to provide more tissue for advancement
or local flap coverage of revised scars. Herein we review the history, technique,
and complications of tissue expansion and serial excision as well as the basic scientific
principles underlying these techniques.
KEYWORD
Tissue expansion - review - serial excision - scar revision