[The treatment of deformity of axillary scar contracture after burns].

OBJECTIVE

To explore the best methods to repair the deformity of axillary scar contracture after burns.

METHODS

Ninety cases in 78 patients with axillary scar contracture after burns from January 1998 to January 2002 were analyzed. According to the severity of the deformity and its influence on the function of the shoulder joint. 46 cases suffered from mild degree axillary scar contracture, 26 cases with moderate and 18 with severe degree. The deformities of axillary scar contracture were repaired by Z plasty (18 cases), five-flap plasty (14 cases), skin graft (23 cases), Z plasty and skin graft (14 cases), transfer of scapular skin flaps (5 cases), lateral throatic skin flaps (4 cases) and scar flaps (12 cases), respectively. Exopexy, anti-scar drug and functional exercises were applied postoperationally.

RESULTS

All the flaps were survived with first intention, except for necrosis of the split skin graft occurring in 4 cases. The function and configuration in all the cases were satisfactory after 6 months to 4 years follow-up.

CONCLUSION

Appropriate methods should be chosen to restore the function and configuration of the shoulder joint and improve patients' living condition according to the size, degree of the deformity of axillary scar contracture after burns.