Before ear reconstruction for microtia, a subcutaneous silicone expander is placed adjacent to the planned auricular site and progressively inflated over several weeks. The biological process by which the overlying skin gains surface area is termed:
- A Interstitial fluid accumulation causing transient edema
- B Ischemic preconditioning of the expanded skin
- C Mechanical creep with stretch-induced cellular proliferation ✓
- D Collagenolysis allowing passive tissue sliding
Correct answer: C. Mechanical creep with stretch-induced cellular proliferation
Explanation
Tissue expansion exploits mechanical creep: sustained stretching triggers real growth of new skin through epidermal mitosis, angiogenesis, and collagen and matrix synthesis, producing genuinely new tissue rather than merely stretched tissue. The chief advantage is reconstruction with adjacent skin of matching colour, texture, thickness, and sensation, avoiding a donor site altogether.
Reference: Grabb and Smith's Plastic Surgery, 8th ed.
High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP
Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.