Archives of Plastic Surgery

Korean Society of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeons (대한성형외과학회)
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The role of rapid tissue expansion in separating xipho-omphalopagus conjoined twins in Vietnam

  • Tran, Thiet Son (Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Hanoi Medical University Hospital) ;
  • Pham, Thi Viet Dung (Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Hanoi Medical University Hospital) ;
  • Ta, Thi Hong Thuy (Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Hanoi Medical University Hospital) ;
  • Vu, Duy Kien (OnCare Medical Technology Company Limited) ;
  • Nguyen, Thanh Liem (Department of Pediatric Surgery, Vietnam National Children's Hospital)
  • Received : 2020.12.12
  • Accepted : 2021.04.12
  • Published : 2021.07.15
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Abstract

Conjoined twins are rare, and each set of conjoined twins has a unique conjoined anatomy. It is necessary to perform separation to increase the chance of patient survival. Tissue expansion is an advanced technique for providing sufficient soft tissue and skin for wound closure. We report the successful application of rapid tissue expansion in 10-month-old xipho-omphalopagus conjoined twins in Vietnam. A tissue expander was placed on the anterior body between the sternum and umbilicus with a baseline of 70 mL sterile saline (0.9% NaCl). The first injection into the tissue expander began on the 6th day after expander insertion, and injections continued every 2 days with approximately 30-70 mL per injection according to the expansion of the skin. The expander reached 335 mL after six injections and within 10 days. In order to prepare for surgical separation, expansion was completed on the 15th day after insertion. The expanded skin area was estimated to be 180 cm2, which was sufficient to cover both patients' skin deficiencies. The twins presented for surgical separation 6 days following the completion of tissue expansion. Both babies were discharged in good health 1 month after separation.

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References

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