A new method in the treatment of postburn and post-traumatic scar contractures: Double-opposing Z- and V- (K-M-N) plasty.

BACKGROUND

To date, many techniques for the surgical treatment of postburn scar contractures have been described. Some of the most popular techniques are Z-plasty, V-Y-plasty and their analogues. A major limitation of these techniques is that the excess tissue requires excision of the dog ear. The current study presents a new modification of the double-opposing Z- and V-plasty, called 'K-M-N plasty'.

METHODS

Twenty postburn scar contractures were successfully treated with K-M-N plasty. The postoperative results depict the versatility of this technique in the surgical treatment of postburn scar contractures, especially in the upper and lower extremities.

RESULTS

There was no distal flap necrosis, and postoperative recovery was uneventful in all operated patients. K-M-N plasty is an effective and alternative method for the surgical treatment of postburn scar contractures. In addition, drawing and flap transpositions were not complicated.

DISCUSSION: THERE ARE MANY ADVANTAGES TO USING THIS TECHNIQUE: K-M-N plasty can be safely used when skin tension crosses the contracture line; it is superior to other local flaps because of its rich vascularity and mobility for superficial scars; it can be recommended to the inexperienced surgeon because it can be performed with ease; it is also an effective procedure for the pericontracture area due to its V limb (it can prevent recontracture); the colour and texture matches are more cosmetically acceptable, and the resultant contracture release is similar to other techniques; the dog ear formation is not seen; it can be performed under local anesthesia in most cases (not in children); and it has a shorter period of operation and hospitalization than other techniques.