Clinical Characteristics of Hand and Finger Contractures in Postburn Patients: A Single-Center Retrospective Analysis at a Top Referral Hospital in West Java, Indonesia.

PURPOSE: Contracture is a common complication following severe burns, with the hands being particularly susceptible. Although not life-threatening, hand and finger contractures can significantly reduce a patient's quality of life by impairing joint function and mobility. This study aims to describe the characteristics of hand and finger contractures in postburn patients who underwent surgery at Top Referral Hospital in West Java, Indonesia between 2019 and 2023.

METHODS

This research is an observational descriptive study with a cross-sectional design, using medical record data of postburn hand and finger contracture patients treated in the Division of Plastic Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery at our institution, from 2019 to 2023. The sampling technique used was total sampling, and the data were analyzed using descriptive statistics.

RESULTS

A total of 42 patient records met the inclusion criteria. The majority of patients were men (59.3%) and under 6 years of age (40.5%). The most common cause of burns was fire (45.2%). Contractures most frequently occurred in the right third finger (10.1%) and were predominantly of dermal depth (85.1%). The contractures were more often diffuse (69.9%), with flexion being the most common deformity (58.9%). The average length of hospital stay was 9 ± 18 days, and the average time to surgery was 30 ± 48 months.

CONCLUSIONS

This study highlights the predominance of hand and finger contractures in young men, with fire-related burns as the leading cause. The findings underscore the critical need for early burn prevention strategies, particularly in high-risk pediatric populations, and timely surgical intervention to minimize long-term functional impairment. Understanding the anatomical distribution and contracture types can aid clinicians in optimizing treatment approaches and rehabilitation protocols to improve patient outcomes.

TYPE OF STUDY/LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic IV.