[Deferred natural expansion].

Adaptation of the skin to the oriented and directed tension stresses can allow, under certain specific conditions, considerable expansion for the subsequent cover of large skin defects in children and adults. This paper describes the concept of natural deferred expansion, illustrated by two clinical examples. Its theoretical bases, as well as a computerized biological model are discussed. A classification of the various types of cutaneous mobility and the biomechanical properties of skin is proposed.