Distant pedicle flaps for soft tissue coverage of severely burned hands: an old idea revisited

Management of Complex Postburn Scar Contracture of the Dorsum of Pediatric Hand

This case report details the challenging management of a 3-year-old girl with a severe left-hand extension contracture resulting from a scald burn. Delayed presentation prompted a 2-stage surgical approach. The first stage involved excising contracted skin and using a groin flap for reconstruction. Two weeks later, donor site closure was performed. The patient later underwent syndactyly release and extensor tenotomy, achieving significant metacarpophalangeal and proximal interphalangeal joint flexion. This case underscores the importance of burn injury intervention and reconstructive surgery for functional and aesthetic outcomes in challenging hand deformities.

Pedicled abdominal skin flap technique for fingers salvaging and reconstruction in a complex palmar hand burn injury: A case report

INTRODUCTION AND IMPORTANCE

The only treatment option for full-thickness burn injury is surgical management, either skin grafting or a skin flap. Treatment may be challenging due to the multiple procedures that need to be performed and multiple factors that can affect treatment outcomes especially to do fingers reconstruction.

CASE PRESENTATION

A 25-years-old man was admitted because of a burn injury on the palm of his left hand. There are waxy and leathery appearances of burn injuries on the palm and 2nd to 5th digits of the left hand and diagnosed with a full-thickness contact burn injury and compartment syndrome. The patient underwent a pedicled abdominal skin flap followed by necrotomy, flap thinning, and digit separation as a reconstruction management.

CLINICAL DISCUSSION

Pedicled abdominal skin flap is one of the best surgical techniques available for full thickness burn injury reconstruction because it is believed to regain the closest natural-looking appearance and extremity functions. Abdominal flap as random flap is safe to be divided into small part to cover the fingers.

CONCLUSION

Thorough examinations and appropriate management such as pedicled abdominal skin flaps are important to perform in patients with full-thickness burn injuries.

Utilization of Perifascial Loose Areolar Tissue Grafting as an Autologous Dermal Substitute in Extremity Burns

BACKGROUND

Perifascial areolar tissue (PAT) is an areolar layer over the muscle fascia. PAT has been shown to be resistant to ischemia and prone to survival even in ischemic conditions. PAT grafts provide a vascular tissue layer on necrotic bone and tendons where skin grafting is not possible. The effect of PAT grafting on burn reconstruction has not yet been reported. Thus, in this study, we aimed to present our experience and discuss the role of PAT grafting in extremity burn reconstruction.

METHODS

Between January 2019 and December 2020, 16 PAT grafting procedures were performed in 11 patients. All patients had second- or third-degree burns in the upper and lower extremities, with exposed bone or tendon. PAT grafts were harvested from the abdominal region and were used for the upper extremity in 7 patients and the lower extremity in 4 patients. Immediate skin grafting was performed during the same session.

RESULTS

The patients' mean age was 50.7 years; defect size, 3.3 × 3 cm²; and follow-up time, 11.8 months. The survival rates of the PAT and skin grafts were 93.8% and 68.6%, respectively. Partial skin graft losses were encountered in 4 patients, and total skin graft loss was seen in 1 patient.

CONCLUSION

PAT grafting is an alternative method to the use of dermal substitutes and flap surgery in small-to-medium-sized defects with exposed bone and tendon in burn patients.

Case report of Hand salvage post burn using pedicled tensor fascia lata (TFL)

INTRODUCTION AND IMPORTANCE

Burn still the major cause of disabilities and challenge facing both patient and surgeon, and when hands were affected a comprehensive planning and work must be obtained to restore functional and aesthetic aspects of hand. Tensor fascia lata (TFL) considered since centuries a useful tool to save hand post burn either it was been harvested with pedicle or as free flap. Although pedicle TFL became seldom but it may be the best option for hand reconstruction. In this article we report a case of hand burn that was managed by pedicle TFL.

CASE PRESENTATION

A 32 year- old man was involved in thermal burn affected multiple areas of his torso and limbs. He was referred to hospital from primary health care center. At hospital reassessment of the patient done was hemodynamic stable and inhalation injury was excluded. Burn estimated at 36 % total body surface area (TBSA) distributed through trunk and left upper limb, but left hand was the most affected area.

CLINICAL DISSOCIATION

After stabilization, he underwent serial debridement and dorsum of hand became skeletonized with exposed bones and tendon. Pedicled tensor fascia lata eventually choose to resurface hand, and fortunately enough covered all hand.

CONCLUSION

Tensor fascia late flap still has favorable use, easy applicable and expected outcome. in this article we report post burn hand injury that managed by pedicled tensor fascia lata.

The use of modified glove-like abdominal flap for reconstruction of contracture following burns of dorsal hand and fingers: A case report

Introduction and importance

Burn contracture has been a challenge for its acquired functional disabilities and deformities. Surgical reconstruction poses a significant challenge for optimal aesthetic and functional improvement. Super thin abdominal skin pedicle flap can be used, but it has only one pedicle from one site of abdomen and needs tissue expander for a larger defect. The use of modified glove-like abdominal flap has been stated to be an option mainly for the use on acute hand burn. In this study, application of the modified glove-like abdominal flap was applied to contracture of dorsal hand and fingers.

Case presentation

A 39-year-old male patient with severe contracted hand, eight-month post-burn injury presented at outpatient clinic Santosa Central Hospital in 2017. Multiple series of surgeries were performed on this patient, consisting of released contracture, defect closure using a modified “glove-like” thin abdominal flap, and flap separation.

Clinical discussion

Abdominal flap has been the commonly used technique but has the disadvantage of being bulky. Glove-like abdominal flap, a subcutaneous layer plane flap, can be performed simply, safely, and briefly. It has been published mainly for reconstruction for acute burn hand injuries, not for burn hand contracture.

Conclusion

The use of modified glove abdominal flap technique for reconstruction in hand burn contracture gives a satisfactory result in terms of functional and aesthetic outcome and can be an option in reconstruction in contracted dorsal hand and fingers.

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Abdominal flap has been used to be an option for hand burn reconstruction but has the disadvantage of being bulky.

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Glove-like abdominal flap has been published mainly for reconstruction for acute burn hand injuries, not burn hand contracture.

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Glove-like abdominal flap is an easy technique, safely, briefly, not bulky, and give better functional aesthetic results.

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Modified glove abdominal flap technique can be an option in reconstruction in contracted dorsal hand and fingers.

Concepts in Early Reconstruction of the Burned Hand

BACKGROUND

Early reconstruction of burn sequelae of the hand can be challenging owing to high goals for functional and aesthetic outcome. A variety of reconstructive procedures with ascending levels of complexity exists and warrants careful indication.

METHODS

In this case series, the main reconstructive techniques for reconstruction of burn defects of the hand are described, illustrated, and discussed: split thickness skin grafting (STSG) with fibrin glue, dermal matrices with STSG, distant random pattern (abdominal bridge) flap, distant pedicled flap (superficial circumflex iliac artery flap), and free microvascular tissue transfer (anterolateral thigh flap). An algorithm for decision making in the reconstructive process is proposed.

RESULTS

Split thickness skin grafting provides sufficient coverage for partial thickness defects without exposure of functional structures; fixation with fibrin glue avoids unnecessary stapling. Dermal matrices under STSG provide vascularized granulation tissue on full thickness defects and can be used as salvage procedure on functional structures. Distant random pattern or pedicled flaps provide sufficient coverage of large full thickness defects with exposed functional structures but pose some challenges regarding patient compliance and immobilization. Free tissue transfer allows tailored reconstruction of large full thickness defects with exposed functional structures and can be safely and feasibly performed. Secondary and tertiary procedures are needed with more complex techniques; if applied correctly and consequently, all methods can yield favorable functional and aesthetic outcomes.

CONCLUSIONS

Reconstruction of the burned hand may require a broad armamentarium of surgical techniques with different levels of complexity, versatility, and applicability. Excellent results can be achieved with the right procedure for the right patient.

Gold panner blast hand

"Blast hand" is a traumatic hand injury related to an explosion. Artisanal gold miners use dynamite to excavate gold pits; such activities expose them to blast hand injuries. This work aims to study blast injuries to gold miners' hands. A 25-month retrospective study was performed. Data on the traumatic event, patients, and injuries were collected and analyzed. Dedicated classifications and scores were used to evaluate the injury topography, injury severity, physical dependence, and aesthetic impact. Data were analyzed statistically. Thirty patients with 46 blast hand injuries among 516 hand injuries were collected. All patients were males and full-time artisanal gold miners. They were seen in the emergency room an average of 10.2hours (1-72) after the explosion. Explosions were caused by a 500g dynamite charge in all cases. The detonation was mainly thermal (n=13), triggered by the patient himself (n=24) and inside the gold pit (n=20). Injuries were bilateral (53%) or left side predominant (59%). Complex injuries were present in 21 hands. The MHISS (Modified Hand Injury Severity Score) was severe (n=7) and major (n=32). Associated injuries were musculoskeletal (n=12), ophthalmologic (n=14) and maxillofacial (n=10). Complexes injuries were correlated to being inside the pit at the time of the explosion. Treatment was conservative more often (n=33) than amputation (n=13). The functional recovery was complete in 22 hands (10 patients). Return to work at the same level was possible for only eight hands (5 patients). The presence of local sequelae or associated injuries negatively impacted the return to work. In Burkina Faso, gold miner's blast hand injuries cause post-traumatic social and professional reintegration issues. Better regulation of artisanal gold mining and expansion of treatment modalities (microsurgery, hand rehabilitation, splinting) may improve the outcome.

Reconstruction of Upper Extremity Defects by Random Pedicle Abdominal Flaps: Is It Still a Valid Option?

Traumatic soft tissue defects of the hand and upper extremities are common and may be challenging to the reconstructive surgeon. Several reconstructive procedures such as use of local, regional, distant, and free flaps have been described. This study aimed to report the techniques, outcomes, and complications of pedicle abdominal flaps in reconstructing hand and upper extremity defects.

A case-matched controlled study on high-voltage electrical injuries vs thermal burns

The aim of this study was to provide an increased level of evidence on surgical management of high-tension electrical injuries compared with thermal burns using a case-controlled study design. Sixty-eight patients (64 males, 4 females, aged 33.7 +/- 13 years) with high-tension electrical burns were matched for age, gender, and burnt extent with a cohort of patients sustaining thermal burns. Data were analyzed for cause of accident (occupational vs nonoccupational), concomitant injuries, extent of burn and burn depth, surgical management, complications, and hospital stay. High-tension electrical burn patients required an average of 5.2 +/- 4 operations (range, 1-23 operations) compared with 3.3 +/- 1.9 (range, 1-10 operations) after thermal burns (P = .0019). Amputation rates (19.7% vs 1.5%), escharotomy/fasciotomy rates (47% vs 21%), and total hospitalization days (44 d vs 32 d) were significantly higher in high-tension electrical injuries (P < .05). Creatinine kinase levels were significantly elevated during the first 2 days in patients with subsequent amputations. Free flap failure was observed during the first 4 weeks after the trauma, whereas no flap failure occurred at later stages. Local, pedicled, and distant flaps were used in 15% of the patients. The mortality in both groups was 13.2% vs 11%, respectively (nonsignificant). High-voltage electrical injury remains a complex surgical challenge. When performing free flap coverage, caution must be taken for a vulnerable phase lasting up to 4 weeks after the trauma. This phase is likely the result of a progressive intima lesion, potentially hazardous to microvascular reconstruction. The use of pedicle flaps may resemble an alternative to free flaps during this period.

Super-thin abdominal skin pedicle flap for the reconstruction of hypertrophic and contracted dorsal hand burn scars

Dorsal contracture is one of the most common complications of burned hand and can result in a spectrum of deformities and functional disabilities. The injury usually necessitates surgical reconstruction and to the majority of patients, cosmetic end result is a very important issue. In this retrospective study, the authors present the technique of super-thin skin abdominal pedicle flap for the treatment of dorsal hand hypertrophic burn contracture, and review the results. Overall 42 medium or large hypertrophic and contracted scars of the dorsal hand in 34 patients were treated using this procedure. Generally, the functional and aesthetic outcomes were evaluated as good. The functional results were comparable to employment of other types of flap with no relapse of contracture. From the aesthetic point of view, the reconstructed skin was similar to the skin of the rest of the extremity, with good color match, bulkiness, laxity, and suppleness. The scar of the donor region was comparable to the scar of abdominoplasty procedures on the ipsi-lateral side of the lower abdomen. Therefore, this procedure can be considered a reliable and technically simple modality in the treatment of dorsal hand burn contractures.

Brûlures graves de la main et lambeaux : choix thérapeutiques et revue de la littérature

Deep hand burns often leads to major deformities, involving cosmetic and functional disease as scar contracture, stiffness, or even amputation. Early surgical treatment and rehabilitation are always challenging but crucial in order to prevent burn sequelae. When tendinous, osseous, nervous or vascular component are involved, even hand vitality is engaged: cutaneous, fasciocutaneous, muscular or musculocutaneous flaps are then the only way of salvage for the hand. The purpose of this surgery is the early covering of essential components, allowing early rehabilitation and mobilisation. The problem remains the choice of surgical covering, according to the site, size, and depth of the burn, and local reliable opportunities. Care must be taken to preserve surgical ways for final sequela reconstruction.

Pronator quadratus flap for burn reconstruction

Full-thickness skin loss in the distal volar forearm presents a challenge to the burn surgeon. Two cases are presented in which a pronator quadratus muscle flap with split-thickness skin was used to cover the underlying tendons and nerves. The unique vascular perfusion makes this a useful and predictable transfer.

Transfer of a free flap from an acutely burned donor site

A deep burn injury of the right upper extremity in a 12-month-old boy was successfully reconstructed with a tensor fascia lata free flap taken from an acutely burned donor thigh, as a healthy donor site was not available elsewhere. The result was satisfactory.