Radiotherapy: effects on expanded skin.

Although the combination of radiation and tissue expansion has been associated with a significant rate of complications, the specific pathophysiology has yet to be clearly elucidated. The objective of this study was to develop a model to identify and examine specific histologic changes associated with tissue expansion and irradiation. Rectangular 50-cc silicone tissue expanders were placed subcutaneously over the midline dorsum of 18 adult New Zealand white rabbits.