•  
  •  
 

Article Type

Original Study

Abstract

Objective A study evaluating the outcomes of different surgical modalities for management of the postburn elbow contracture. Background The incidence of the postburn contracture is unkown, but it is inversely propotional to the standards of the initial management. Methods This is a prospective study included 20 patients suffering from different degrees and forms of postburn elbow contracture. All patients had scar contracture release and then were managed according to the forms of the contractures and the availability of adjacent healthy unscarred tissues. Results Different techniques had been used in this study, seven cases had skin graft representing 35% of all cases, there was partial loss in one case and one case had recontracture later on. Five cases representing 25% of cases had z-plasty flap, only one case had tip necrosis. Two cases had five z-plasty technique representing 10% of cases and there was no complications including infection, dehiscence, hematoma, tip necrosis or recontracture. Three cases representing 15% of cases had reversed lateral arm flap and there was no complications. Three cases representing 15% of cases had proximally based lateral forearm flap and also there was no complications. Conclusion Flaps are better for resurfacing the defects after post-burn contractures release. Flaps do not need rigorous post-operative physiotherapy or splintage, no recurrence of contracture and grow with age especially in children.

Download

Share

COinS