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Tissue expansion is an important reconstructive modality. It has become more widespread, particularly in the fields plastic and general surgery. In many cases, tissue expansion can be said to have revolutionized plastic surgery and it also has use in hand surgery. The Inflatable Tissue Elevator/Expander has multiple applications in hand surgery  that can he useful to the hand surgeon for dissection, elevation and expansion of tissue, creation of tunnels and spaces for instrumentation and implants, decompression of nerves, lysis of adhesions, mobilization of tissue and soft tissue coverage.

Surgical dissection and the creation of inter-operative space for instrumentation, implants and other uses continue to challenge surgeons. In hand surgery, with a mechanical tissue expander the phenomenon of tissue expansion of the skin and underlying soft tissues is possible where local tissue expands and enlarges in response to tension generated by the increased volume of the expander. Advancements in inflatable balloon materials and technology have made tissue expansion possible in a minimally invasive fashion.

Specialized techniques and instrumentation enable surgeons to perform surgical procedures with smaller incisions and dissection. Minimally invasive surgery (MIS) has revolutionized many fields of medicine. The Inflatable Tissue Elevator/Expander is a manual instrument tool that facilitates access and exposure for hand surgery.

This paper discusses the use of Inflatable Tissue Elevator/Expanders in Hand Surgery including indications, equipment, technique, complications and suggested applications.