Combination of tissue expansion and porcine mesh for secondary abdominal wall closure after pediatric liver transplantation

Abstract

We report the case of a two and a half yr boy hospitalized in our Pediatric Transplantation Unit for portal vein thrombosis following liver transplantation. After performing a meso-Rex shunt, abdominal wall closure was impossible without compressing the portal flow. A combination of two techniques was used to perform the reconstruction of the muscular fasciae and skin layers. The association of tissue expanders and porcine mesh (Surgisis(®)) allowed complete abdominal wall closure with good functional and esthetic results. Use of both techniques is a useful alternative for difficult abdominal closure after liver pediatric transplantation.