TISSUE EXPANDER Meaning and
Definition
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A tissue expander is a medical device used in plastic and reconstructive surgeries to stretch and prepare a patient's skin or tissue for a subsequent procedure. It is primarily employed in cases where there is insufficient tissue available for a reconstructive surgery or when additional tissue needs to be created.
The tissue expander typically consists of a silicone balloon-like structure that is inserted under the skin near the area where tissue expansion is desired. A valve attached to the expander enables the gradual inflation or expansion of the device with saline solution over a period of time. As the expander is gradually filled, it puts gentle pressure on the surrounding tissue, promoting the growth and stretching of healthy skin.
This gradual expansion process allows the body to generate new tissue, thereby increasing the amount of available skin in the desired region. It is commonly used for breast reconstruction following mastectomy, but may also be utilized for facial and body reconstructions.
Once the desired amount of tissue expansion has been achieved, the tissue expander is typically removed and replaced with a permanent implant or the newly expanded tissue is directly used for the intended surgical procedure.
The use of tissue expanders has revolutionized the field of reconstructive surgery by providing an effective and safe method to generate additional tissue when needed, resulting in better outcomes for patients seeking cosmetic and reconstructive improvements.
Common Misspellings for TISSUE EXPANDER
- rissue expander
- fissue expander
- gissue expander
- yissue expander
- 6issue expander
- 5issue expander
- tussue expander
- tjssue expander
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- tiasue expander
- tizsue expander
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- tidsue expander
- tiesue expander
- tiwsue expander
- tisaue expander
- tiszue expander
Etymology of TISSUE EXPANDER
The word "tissue expander" is composed of two parts: "tissue" and "expander".
1. Tissue: The term "tissue" comes from the Latin word "tela", meaning "web" or "fabric". It was adopted into English in the 15th century and refers to a group or layer of cells that perform a specific function within an organism.
2. Expander: The word "expander" comes from the Latin verb "expandere", which means "to spread out" or "to enlarge". It entered the English language in the 16th century and refers to a device or substance used to make something larger or more extensive.
Therefore, the term "tissue expander" refers to a medical device used in plastic surgery to gradually stretch or expand a patient's tissue, usually in preparation for reconstructive surgery.
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