Tissue Expansion and Serial Excision in Scar Revision

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.