Pretransfer Tissue Expansion of a Scalp Free Flap for Burn Alopecia Reconstruction in a Child: A Case Report

A nine-year-old boy who sustained severe grease-fire burns over his right scalp, face, neck, and trunk 14 months previously, presented with extensive alopecia over the right frontotemporoparietal scalp. Near complete coverage of the scalp defect was obtained with pretransfer expansion of the left temporoparietal scalp, followed by free-flap transfer of the expanded tissue to the defect. Pretransfer tissue expansion has the advantages of increasing flap surface area and minimizing donor site deformity. This case illustrates the applicability of pretransfer tissue expansion of free flaps, and demonstrates the excellent results achievable with free-flap scalp transfers.