A new flap design for release of parallel contracture bands: dual opposing five-flap z-plasty.

Skin contractures secondary to burn and other types of trauma can be encountered on almost every part of human body, best addressed by a custom treatment protocol tailored for each patient. Skin graft, local flap as well as distant flap options are available, each with intrinsic advantages and disadvantages. In the presence of weblike contracture the utilization of local tissue, when available, is a prefered approach for a relatively better appearance through a reasonably simpler surgical intervention, compared to skin graft applications and distant flap options. Among many other techniques and modalities utilized for this purpose, the dual opposing five-flap z-plasty method which is a novel method designed as a modification of the paired five-flap z-plasty technique promises to be a useful treatment option for the release of parallel contracture bands with satisfactory results in selected patients.