Salvage of tissue expander in the setting of mastectomy flap necrosis: a 13-year experience using timed excision with continued expansion.

Background: Mastectomy flap necrosis after immediate tissue expander placement can have profound implications, resulting in prosthetic infection necessitating tissue expander removal. The purpose of this investigation was to evaluate the safety and efficacy of timed, surgical excision during continued serial expansion in the setting of mastectomy flap necrosis and to identify an algorithm for surgeons faced with the management of this difficult problem.

Methods: Consecutive patients in whom documented mastectomy flap necrosis developed following immediate tissue expander placement from 1995 to 2008 were identified.