Postburn Contractures Research Articles

Tips for management of postburn neck contracture

Postburn neck contractures are frequent sequelae after deep thermal burns. They are a significant cause of morbidity and pose a serious challenge for anesthesia. In developing countries, lack of adequate burn care infrastructure, training, and workforce leads to the occurrence of multiple postburn deformities. Wound healing can never occur without wound bed contraction. Therefore, the best treatment for any problem related to burn wound contraction is to prevent or at least reduce its severity. The same is the case with postburn contractures and deformities. The use of simple measures can prevent or at least limit the severity of deformities even when used by trained paramedics and nursing staff.

ARC technique – An innovative method to assess true defect in postburn contracture release

Most commonly, skin grafts are used to resurface the raw areas resulting after the release of postburn contractures but in the extensively burned patient, donor sites may be limited. There is no accurate technique described in literature for the assessment of the true defect preoperatively. We describe a technique to accurately assess the true defect which helps to determine the amount of skin graft required preoperatively.

Airway management in patients with neck burn contracture

Airway management is an important aspect during reconstructive surgeries of patients with postburn contracture (PBC) due to significant morbidity and mortality associated with it. The standard recommendations by the American Society of Anesthesiologists for Difficult Airway Management may not be appropriate for these patients due to the high risk of intubation failure and airway crisis. With recent advancements, many techniques and devices have been used successfully in patients with PBC of the head and neck. This article focuses on various barriers faced during the airway management of such patients along with common techniques to overcome them.

Keystone Flap for Postburn Finger Flexion Contracture Release.

Flexion contracture of finger is a major cause of disability in postburn patients. Various methods have been described to cover the resultant defect after surgical release of finger flexion contracture. Local flaps are used when there is sufficient tissue available on lateral sides of the finger to recruit into the defect. Keystone flap can be designed on volar aspect of finger to cover the post contracture release defect. Use of local flap reduces need of skin graft and donor site morbidity. Here we discuss a case of postburn finger flexion contracture release using type-3 keystone flap. Postoperative results are satisfactory. Various pros and cons of the technique are discussed. Keystone flap is a new addition to the armamentarium of plastic surgeons for release of postburn flexion contracture of fingers.

A Review of Post-Burn Contracture Release Procedures at the National Orthopaedic Hospital, Enugu

Background: Contracture release surgeries are done to correct functional impairment, pain or discomfort, recurrent ulceration and cosmetic challenges associated with contractures across joints and mobile structures such as the eyelids.

Pedicled Split Hypogastric Flap (Superficial Inferior Epigastric Artery flap): A New Technique for Coverage of Nonadjacent Defects in the Hand.

Flap coverage of soft tissue defects on both surfaces of the hand or of nonadjacent defects in the hand is a challenge. Two flaps are needed or if a single flap is used, the intervening normal area or part of the flap must be deepithelialized or the flap tunneled under the normal bridge segment. We are presenting a new technique whereby the hypogastric flap based on the superficial inferior epigastric artery is split into 2 components for the coverage of such defects. The hypogastric flap is separated into a cutaneous component and an adipofascial component at the level of Scarpa fascia. The flaps are separated almost to the base to increase mobility. Now it can be used to cover 2 defects separated by 5 to 7 cm or for defects in the dorsum and the palm. We have used it in 3 patients, in 2 for the coverage of palmar and dorsal aspect of the hand and in one for the coverage of nonadjacent defects on the dorsum of the hand and distal forearm after postburn contracture release. We achieved good results with no flap-related complications.

Thoracic epidural anaesthesia – A promising alternative for a patient with difficult airway

A patient with post burn contracture of neck and Marjolin’s ulcer on anterior chest wall was posted for wide local excision and skin grafting. Skin graft was taken from lower limb under unilateral subarachnoid block and wide local excision of ulcer was performed under thoracic epidural anaesthesia. In the background of pre-formulated strategy in view of anticipated difficult airway, regional anaesthesia is a well established and safe alternative in expert hands. Keywords: Anterior chest wall surgery, difficult airway, Thoracic epidural, Post burn contracture (PBC).

Five Essential Principles for First Web Space Reconstruction in the Burned Hand.

Burn injuries commonly affect the hand, and the development of adduction contractures of the first web space is frequent and deleterious, both functionally and aesthetically. Many corrective techniques and algorithmic approaches have been described to treat this problem, but there is no consensus on the optimal management. A retrospective review at a single high-volume pediatric burn center was undertaken to evaluate the clinical course of these patients. All pediatric patients undergoing initial release of burn scar contracture of the first web space from 2005 through 2015 were included in a retrospective cohort study. The authors identified 40 patients with 57 burned hands. The initial approach to management was variable. Z-plasty or other local flap was the first technique used in 28 hands (49 percent), split-thickness skin graft in 19 hands (33 percent), full-thickness skin graft in seven hands (12 percent), groin flaps in two hands (4 percent), and a reverse radial forearm flap in one hand (2 percent). The mean numbers of total reconstructive procedures per hand including the initial procedure were as follows: groin flap, 4.0; full-thickness skin graft, 3.1; split-thickness skin graft, 2.1; Z-plasty, 1.4; and reverse radial forearm flap, 1.0. Successful reconstruction of the first web space must be addressed in the context of the entire hand. It is the authors' preference to use split-thickness skin grafting whenever a skin deficiency is present-only then should leading edge contractures be addressed with Z-plasty. Based on their experience, the authors recommend five principles that are essential to successfully treat postburn contractures of the first web space. Therapeutic, III.

Lateral genicular artery flap for reconstruction of defects around the knee: a series of 5 cases

The lateral genicular artery flap is a fasciocutaneous flap used for knee reconstruction with low donor site morbidity. It is raised from the lower lateral thigh and is based upon the cutaneous termination of superior lateral genicular artery. This flap showed constant anatomy and is reliable for coverage of defects at superior and lateral portions of the knee and the proximal part of the lower leg. The study period was from January 2016 to June 2017 where we operated on 5 patients, 3 for post-traumatic and 2 were post burn contracture excision. The flap was used as a pedicled fasciocutanous and was based on the superior lateral genicular artery. Five cases underwent lateral genicular artery flap of which 4 were males and 1 was a female. Mean defect size was 12 cm×10 cm. All the donor sites were closed with a split skin graft. One patient had distal necrosis which was managed conservatively. The lateral genicular artery flap is a thin, versatile, reliable and easy to harvest flap for reconstructing defects around the knee, with good cosmetic and functional outcome.

Supraclavicular artery flaps for head and neck reconstruction: a prospective study

Reconstruction of defects of the head and neck remains a challenge to the reconstructive surgeon. This is due to the complex anatomy of the region as well as the age and comorbidities of the patients, which prevent the use of free tissue transfer as the primary tool of reconstruction. The supraclavicular artery (SCA) island flap is a well vascularised tissue and provides a thin and pliable skin for cutaneous and mucosal defects of the head and neck region. Here, we had done this flap for eight patients with no major complications and hence, we concur that it is a safe, reliable and versatile reconstructive option for these defects. The study period was from January 2015 to June 2016 where we operated on 8 patients, 5 for post burn contracture neck and 3 for post oncologic resection. The flap was used as a pedicled fascio-cutaneous and was based on the transverse supraclavicular artery. Eight cases underwent supraclavicular artery flap of which 5 were males and 3 females. Mean defect size was 15×10 cm. All the donor sites were closed with a split skin graft. One patient had distal necrosis which was managed with debridement and secondary suturing. The supraclavicular artery flap is a thin, versatile, reliable and easy to harvest flap for reconstructing head and neck defects, with good cosmetic and functional outcome.

Trapezoid Advancement Flaps for the Treatment of Severe Upper Extremity Burn Contractures Limiting the Risk of Recurrence.

Severe postburn contractures can lead to partial or total loss of function of the limbs, with devastating socioeconomic and psychosocial impact on the individual, especially in low- and middle-income countries. We present a surgical technique for the treatment of severe burn contractures with the purpose of limiting recurrence of the contracture after surgery, which was developed based on the observation that in most burn contractures, one side of a contracture has unburnt, soft, and pliable healthy skin. By advancing this skin as a flap over the joint crease, a bridge of healthy tissue is interposed. We postulate that the pliable skin, together with the fact that secondary wound contracture progresses away from the joint in the skin-grafted areas adjacent to the flap and not over a mobile joint, promote healing, prevent skin graft breakdown, and limit recurrence of the contracture in the long term. We retrospectively analyzed data of all patients who have undergone surgery for severe burn contractures of elbow and axilla by means of our technique on the MV Africa Mercy between January 2013 and February 2014. In 27 patients (19 female, 8 male) with a mean age of 16.4 years, shoulder range of motion improved significantly from preoperative 111.0° to postoperative 149.4° of abduction-adduction. The elbow range of motion improved from preoperative 76.6° to postoperative 108.6° of flexion-extension, with a significant reduction in the residual elbow contracture from 60.5° preoperatively to 18.5° postoperatively. The average follow-up was 3 months (range, 1.5-7 months). We conclude that this relatively simple and safe technique limits the risk for early postoperative healing complications and recurrence of the contractures in the long term.

The History of Propeller Flaps.

Several pedicled flaps were developed by Hyakusoku at the Nippon Medical School Hospital, Tokyo, Japan, in the 1980s to treat a large number of patients with postburn contractures. In this setting, the propeller flaps were described for the first time in 1991. The term propeller was used because of the blade shape of the skin island rotating on its axis. In 1989, Koshima introduced the term perforator flaps , whereas Hallock, in 2006, applied the perforator flap concept to the propeller flap. The name perforator pedicled propeller flap followed. Propeller flap had developed to be an important operative technique and a hot topic in the field of reconstructive microsurgery, with the important contribution of Teo. In 2009, the First Tokyo Meeting on Perforator and Propeller Flaps was held, where Pignatti reported the consensus on the definition and classification of propeller flaps that was given by the advisory panel of the meeting. Further evolutions developed since then will be described in this dedicated issue of Seminars of Plastic Surgery .

NOVEL TECHNIQUES FOR DIFFICULT AIRWAY MANAGEMENT IN VARIOUS CLINICAL SCENARIOS: CASE SERIES AND REVIEW OF LITERATURE

Difficult airway management has till date been the most fearsome and challenging part of any anaesthetic management. Meticulous planning is always done prior to anaesthetic induction of such patients with multiple back up plans and rescue strategy. Significant advancements in terms of clinical protocols, techniques, and devices / gadgets in this field have led to decreased incidence of airway related complications. We hereby present a case series of 3 clinical cases with different airway scenarios; 1) Patient with huge goiter, who was intubated with the help of an indigenously developed fish mouth valve device, 2) a temporomandibular joint ankylosis case, managed with awake fibreoptic guided intubation 3) Patient with post burn contracture of face and neck, in which fibreoptic intubation was performed after partial release of scar under tumescent anaesthesia. Extensive preoperative airway evaluation and preparation to handle any emergency by multiple backup plans always helps in smooth sailing through these difficult clinical scenarios

Successful Anaesthetic Management of a Patient with Post Burn Contracture and Difficult Airway: A Case Report

The Anaesthetic management of patients with post burn contracture release poses many problems toanaesthesiologist. Airway management in such cases is still challenging to anaesthesiologist as thecontracture and deformity due to fibrous tissue resulting in non-alignment of oral, pharyngeal andlaryngeal planes, makes laryngoscopy and endotracheal intubation very difficult or impossible and thiscan result in many life threatening and serious complications. We report the successful airway managementof a patient with restricted neck extension and fixed flexion deformity by Laryngeal mask airway (LMA)followed by endotracheal intubation. JBSA 2020; 33(2): 107-110

The Use of Collagen-Glycosaminoglycan Biodegradable Matrix (Integra®) in the Management of Neck Postburn Hypertrophic Scars and Contractures

Glycosaminoglycan (GAG) is a chain-like disaccharide that is linked to a polypeptide core to connect two collagen fibrils/fibers and provide the intermolecular force in a Collagen-GAG matrix which can be a valuable treatment of post-burn contractures and hypertrophic scars, which remain a challenge to reconstructive surgery. The face and neck contractures are the most difficult sites to treat. This article is meant to discuss our clinical experience in using collagen-glycosaminoglycan biodegradable matrix (Integra® Integra Lifesciences Corporation, Plainsboro, NJ, USA) to reconstruct defects created by excision of contracted areas from the neck and lower face areas. Between 2009 and 2011, we had 11 patients that underwent Integra reconstructive procedures. The mean follow-up period was 18 months. For all the patients, the intake of the Integra dermal regeneration template was 100%, even if one patient developed a minor infection treated with appropriate antibiotics. The patients are very satisfied with the result. A minor problem was a small difference in skin color, but this inconvenience was compensated by good skin elasticity.

A prospective observational study on prevention of contractures of upper limb following burn

Background: Over 1 lakh people are affected by burn every year in India and 20 thousands of them die per year. Post burn contracture is a common sequele occurring after burn. Upper limb contractures are also occurring more commonly because it is most mobile part of body and likely to be involved in burn. There are many studies on management of post burn contractures but literature about prevention of contracture is little, hence this study was conducted. The aim of this study was to recognise various preventive measures to prevent post burn contractures of upper extremity.Methods: This study was conducted in NSCBM Subharti Medical College and Hospital located in Meerut (North India) from October 2012 to October 2014 in Department of Surgery. It was a prospective observational study consisted of 80 cases who presented as acute burn of upper limb admitted in the hospital.Results: In our study early excision with skin grafting was done in 20 patients (25%) while delayed skin grafting was done in 25 patients (31%) while 35 patients (44%) were managed conservatively. In our study 20 patients reported back with a post burn contracture. The reason found was non-compliance to antideformity splint and physiotherapy.Conclusions: Early surgical management of deep burns, physiotherapy, anti-deformity position and proper splintage can significantly reduce the development of post burn contracture.

Early debridement with physiotherapy for prevention of postburn contracture of neck: a case series

Hypertrophic scars and contractures are well known sequelae after burns. They result in high morbidity in severely burned patients who are surviving. Present case study was done to establish the usefulness of early debridement and physiotherapy in preventing these sequelae. Present study was conducted on patients admitted in a tertiary care hospital on patients with alleged history of thermal burns to neck and upper chest over a period of 6 months. These patients were subjected to early debridement, daily dressings and early neck physiotherapy. They were assessed for neck mobility and development of neck contracture. Three patients were studied, two had a favourable outcome due to adherence to above measures while one developed contracture due to her late presentation and non-compliance to early physiotherapy. Post burn contractures are common sequelae of thermal burns involving the neck region. Early Debridement, daily dressing of the raw areas with starting of early neck physiotherapy are important and prove beneficial in preventing neck contractures with early return to normal daily activity.

The benefits of early surgical treatment of deep cervical burns in children

Background. The frequency of deep cervical burns in children is four times higher than that of deep face burns. Currently, there is no consensus on the methods for surgical treatment of deep burns in cervical areas; meshed skin autografts continue to be used.
 Aim. To evaluate the benefits of early surgical treatment of deep сervical burns in children between the third and fifth days from the moment of injury.
 Materials and methods. Case-control study. Surgical treatment was performed in 81 children with deep cervical burns. The main group with early surgical treatment included 46 children and underwent surgical treatment at 3.37 0.14 days from the moment of injury; the control group received autograft during stage treatment for 35 children at 27.17 0.18 days. The treatment results were evaluated by the following indicators: the number of dressing changes, the period of skin restoration, and the area of graft success. In the long term, functional and cosmetic treatment results were evaluated.
 Results. In the study and control groups, 7.93 0.45 and 18.75 0.61 dressings were required to complete the treatment, respectively (p 0.001). The skin restoration periods were 16.54 0.68 and 36.94 0.89 days, respectively (p 0.001). The graft success areas were 99.50% 0.13% in the main group and 93.91% 2.68% in the control (p 0.001). During the staged surgical treatment, one patient showed a loss of 90% of the graft, which required regrafting. Other complications in the treatment process have not been noted. When assessing long-term cosmetic results using the Vancouver Scar Scale, the average score was 4.0 0.26 points in the main group and 7 0.28 points in the control (p 0.001). The presence of post-burn cicatricial contracture in the main group was noted in 12 (26%) people and the absence in 34 (74%) children. In the control group, 20 (57%) patients required surgical removal of post-burn deformity, and 15 (43%) children did not need further surgical interventions.
 Conclusions. Early surgical treatment of deep cervical burns in children on the third and fifth days from injury allows not only to accelerate the process of restoration of the skin but also to directly affect the cosmetic and functional results in a better way.

Reconstruction of postburn contractures due to tandir oven

The aim of the study was to evaluate postburn contracture reconstructions caused by high temperature such as tandir. The records of our 58 patients who were operated for burn contracture between 2008 and 2018 were retrospectively reviewed. Duration elapsed after the burn, localization of contracture, surgery applied, and the recurrence rates were recorded. McCauley classification was used to evaluate the severity of hand contractures. One hundred and thirty-seven contracture release operations were performed in 45 hands in 40 cases. Five patients had bilateral hand contractures. One hundred and sixty-three (84.9%) surgeries out of total 192 contracture release surgery were applied to the hand and foot region. FTSG alone was the most common method of treatment. Z-plasty was used the most frequently by our team as the flap surgery. Tissue damage is more severe due to very high temperature of the tandir and as a result, more frequent and heavier burn contracture occurs on hands and feet than other burn etiologies develops, and reconstructive operations are needed more frequently.

Airway management of post-burn neck contracture: preshaped supraglottic airways should be the new ‘gold standard’

Airway management of post-burn neck contracture: preshaped supraglottic airways should be the new ‘gold standard’