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. (C) 2007 Elsevier Ltd and ISBI. All rights reserved.