[Cutaneous microvascularization after tissue expansion: experimental study in rats. Proposal of a method for monitoring the expansion by measuring the transcutaneous pressure of oxygen].
Major complications can occur during cutaneous expansion. They appear to be related to microcirculatory disorders. An experimentation in the rat demonstrated a significant difference in the results depending on the protocol adopted (slow or rapid expansion). Complications occurred in the case of rapid expansion. The results for TcPO2, histology and capillaroscopy corroborate the clinical data. The authors show that measurement of the TcPO2 has a predictive value in relation to complications. They propose the use of this technique in human clinical practice. The TcPO2 and the cutaneous oxygenation index allows control of tissue expansion in order to prevent the development of complications.