Perforator flap combined with mesh to repair scar abdominal hernia after deep burn

Abstract

Objective To study the outcome of perforator flap combined with mesh in repairing cicatricial abdominal hernia after deep burn. Methods From June 2000 to June 2016, 11 cases of cicatricial abdominal wall hernia after deep burn were treated. 8 cases were caused by electrical burn, 2 cases by stove burn and 1 case by molten iron burn. All of them were Ⅳ degree burn of abdominal wall. The overall treatment time was 1-11 years, with the average of 4.1 years. The hernias were 6 cm × 6 cm to 12 cm × 11 cm in size. The abdominal wall hernia was repaired following the process of scar excision, mesh and perforator flap transfer and defect repairment. 3 kinds of mesh materials were used, polypropylene mesh (n=7), composite mesh (n=2), and acellular allogenic dermis (n=2). The size of meshes ranged from 8 cm ×8 cm to 16 cm ×13 cm. Meanwhile, paraumbilical perforator flaps were used in 5 patients, and anterolateral thigh perforator flaps were 6. The flaps were 18 cm ×10 cm to 22 cm ×13 cm in size. Results All 11 cases of abdominal wall hernia were repaired. Follow-up period was 6 months to 2 years. There was no recurrence was found. The shape of the flap was satisfying. Conclusions The perforator flap combined with mesh is a good method to repair cicatricial abdominal wall hernia after deep burn. Key words: Flap; Patch; Scar; Ventral hernia