Treatment of post-burn upper extremity, neck and facial contractures: report of 77 cases.

BACKGROUND

Post-burn contractures severely deteriorate life quality. We aimed to present our treatment protocols for post-burn sequelae and the contractures that cause functional limitations.

METHODS

Seventy-seven cases with post-burn contracture were treated in our clinic. Post-burn contractures occurring after a burn injury affected the upper extremity, face and neck in 60, 17 and 6 cases, respectively. Skin grafts, local flaps such as advancement flaps, Z-plasties, K-plasties, regional flaps such as posterior interosseous flap, tissue expanded flaps, and free flaps were used according to the severity of the contractures.

RESULTS

In one patient with type II axillary contraction, recurrence was seen. Full range of motion was achieved in the 3.6-year follow-up period in elbow contractures. Eight of 71 phalangeal joint contractures recurred. Two patients underwent reoperation for neck contracture recurrences.

CONCLUSION

Excellent results were seen with prefabricated flaps, which were used for the facial reconstruction.