A new external filling device in tissue expansion

External fill ports for tissue expansion have several advantages over internal reservoirs. First, there is less pain with injection. Second, the external position obviates the need for dissection of a second site for placement of the reservoir. Even with these conveniences, however, the needle injection technique of expansion call still be a problem. We have proposed a one-way valve prototype that would permit patients to perform the inflations. This prototype has been used in 16 cases (13 patients) without complication. The advantages of this technique are reduced operative time, less discomfort for the patient, avoidance of complications associated with needle puncture, and the possibility of self-expansion.