ObjectiveTo evaluate the effectiveness of different flaps for repair of severe palm scar contracture deformity. MethodsBetween February 2013 and March 2015, thirteen cases of severe palm scar contracture deformity were included in the retrospective review. There were 10 males and 3 females, aged from 14 to 54 years (mean, 39 years). The causes included burn in 9 cases, hot-crush injury in 2 cases, chemical burn in 1 case, and electric burn in 1 case. The disease duration was 6 months to 6 years (mean, 2.3 years). After excising scar, releasing contracture and interrupting adherent muscle and tendon, the soft tissues and skin defects ranged from 6.0 cm×4.5 cm to 17.0 cm×7.5 cm. The radial artery retrograde island flap was used in 2 cases, the pedicled abdominal flaps in 4 cases, the thoracodorsal artery perforator flap in 2 cases, the anterolateral thigh flap in 1 case, and the scapular free flap in 4 cases. The size of flap ranged from 6.0 cm×4.5 cm to 17.0 cm×7.5 cm. ResultsAll flaps survived well. Venous thrombosis of the pedicled abdominal flaps occurred in 1 case, which was cured after dressing change, and healing by first intention was obtained in the others. The mean follow-up time was 8 months (range, 6-14 months). Eight cases underwent operation for 1-3 times to make the flap thinner. At last follow-up, the flaps had good color, and the results of appearance and function were satisfactory. ConclusionSevere palm scar contracture deformity can be effectively repaired by proper application of different flaps.
Various tissue flaps were used in the repair of 255 cases of the wounds from severe deep burns and cicatricial deformities. The types of flaps used included: 6 kinds of myocutaneous flaps in 54 cases, 10 kinds of axial cutaneous flaps in 50cases, 7 kinds of fasciocutaneous flaps in 44 cases, pedicled subcutaneous tissues flaps in 12 cases, pedicled thin skin flaps in 54 cases, subdermal vascular networks cutaneous flaps in 38 cases, and free skin flaps with arter ialization of vein flap, retrograd island cutaneous flap with great or small saphaneous vein, in each. The survival rate from the transplantation was 99.2 per cent, and the rate of primary healing was 94.5 per cent. According to the time interval between the injury and operation and the conditions of the wounds, the patients were divided into acute, infected and selective cases, and the rate of primary healing was 93.0 per cent, 91.6 per cent and 97.9 per cent, respectively. The selection of the types of flap to be used and the attentions to be taken dueing operation were discussed.
Double adjacent-finger skin flap could be used to treat severe cicatricial contracture of fingers with resultant complete release of contracture and good coverage of raw surface. From the follow-up, it was noted that the appearance of the fingers following treatment looked nice, no recurrence of contracture in the late stage, and partial sensation of the fingers could be recovered as well. It had no ill-effect on the donor fingers, The method was simple and reliable,from 1987, a total of 4 cases had been done,and the functional recovery wassatisfactory.
Objective To investigate the development made in the reparation and reconstruction of the postburn deformity and functional disability in the advanced-stage patients. Methods Based on the reviewedliterature at home and abroad and combined with our clinical experience, the new reparative and reconstructive techniques for the patients with advanced stagedeformity and functional disability were evaluated. Results The reparative and reconstructive microsurgical techniques achieved a significantdevelopment in treating the following pathologic changes after burn: deformity due to proliferation and contracture of the scars, severe hand deformity, defects occurring in the muscle tendons and nerves due to electricity burn, and defects occurring in the long tubular bones of the extremities. Concl usion Although there has been a great achievement in this field, there is still a hard task of finding out newer therapeutic approaches and achieving more effective results in the future.
Objective To investigate the benefit of the combined therapy for deformed fingers after burn injury by compairing with the conventionalone,and to sum up some experience. Methods From June 1999 to June 2004, 56 patients with deformed fingers entered the trial. In 28 patients of treatment group who received combined therapy(operation with postoperational systematic convalescent care, group A), there were 20 males and 8 females (14-47 years), 129 fingers of 47 hands were involved. In 28 of conventional group who received conventional therapy (the same operational principle, and self-convalescent-care with out-patient service guidance, group B), there were 17 males and 11 femals (18-51 years), 107 fingers of 42 hands were involved. Before and afterthe therapy, the finger’s motor function were assessed according to the Swansonmethod. The hand’s motor function was assessed through the Nine Hole Peg Test. Results The follow-up was 12-19 months in group A and 13-20 months in group B. The index of ankylosis (IA) of group A before therapy was82%±20%, and 45%±13% after theraphy; while the IA of group B before therapy was 78%±17%, and 52%±14% after therapy. The decreased of IA between before therapy and after therapy was 37%±15% in group A, and 26%±15% in group B, showing significant difference between the two groups (P<0.05) . The Nine Hole Peg Test value of group A was 28.34±5.62s before therapy, and 20.73±4.25 s after therapy; while that of group B was 27.47±5.78 s before therapy, and 21.86±4.12 s after therapy. The decrease of the Nine Hole Peg Test value between before therapy and after therapy was 7.61±2.27 s in group A, and 561±294 s in group B, showing statistically significant difference (P<0.05). Conclusion The combined therapy is more effective than the conventional one.
OBJECTIVE To investigate the different expression of actin, myosin II in hypertrophic scars, keloids and normal skins, and to understand the relationship of actin, myosin II and the scar contracture. METHODS Fifteen cases with hypertrophic scars, 10 cases with keloids and 15 cases with normal skins were chosen randomly. The expression of actin and myosin II were detected by immunohistochemical method in the hypertrophic scars, keloids and normal skins. The fibroblasts isolated from three types of tissue were cultured in vitro, then actin and myosin II in three different fibroblasts were measured using flow cytometry. RESULTS The immunohistochemical staining of myosin II in hypertrophic scars was positive, while the staining in keloids and normal skins were negative. The positive rate of myosin II expression in hypertrophic scars, keloids and normal skins were (95.11 +/- 2.78)%, (16.86 +/- 7.11)%, and (5.31 +/- 1.79)% respectively. There were significant difference between keloids and the two others(P lt; 0.01). The actin expression in three difference tissues were positive, there were no significant difference in hypertrophic scars, keloids and normal skins(P gt; 0.05). The positive rate of actin expression in hypertrophic scars, keoids and normal skins were(77.77 +/- 15.43)%, (88.89 +/- 10.29)%, and (82.92 +/- 13.48)% respectively, and there were no significant difference(P gt; 0.05). CONCLUSION Myosin II may play an important role in the scar contracture. Actin is the contractile protein of cell, it plays
ObjectiveTo discuss the effectiveness of deep inferior epigastric artery perforator flap to repair perineal and perianal cicatricial contracture. MethodsBetween March 2007 and December 2013, 23 patients with perineal and perianal cicatricial contracture were treated with deep inferior epigastric artery perforator flap. There were 15 males and 8 females, aged from 21 to 62 years (mean, 42 years). Burn depth was III degree. The burning scars involved in the fascia, even deeper, which was rated as peripheral type (mild stenosis of the anal region and perianal cicatricial contracture) in 13 cases and as central type (severe stenosis of the anal region and anal canal with shift or defect of external genitalia) in 10 cases. All patients had limited hip abduction and squatting. Repair operation was performed at 3 months to 2 years (mean, 6 months) after wound healing. The size of soft tissue defects ranged from 10 cm×6 cm to 28 cm×13 cm after scar excision and release. The size of flaps ranged from 12 cm×7 cm to 30 cm×15 cm. The donor site was sutured directly in 16 cases and repaired by autograft of skin in 7 cases. ResultsThe flap had distal necrosis, distal cyanosis, and spotted necrosis in 1 case, 2 cases, and 1 case respectively, which were cured after symptomatic treatment;the other flaps survived and wound healed primarily. Twenty-one patients were followed up 6 months to 2 years (mean, 1 year). Nineteen patients had good appearance of the perinea and position of external genitalia, normal function of defecation function;stenosis of the anal region was relived, and the flaps had good texture and elasticity. Linear scar contracture was observed at the edge of flap in 2 cases, and the appearance of the perineum was restored after Z plasty. The hip abduction reached 30-40°. No abdominal hernia was found at donor site. ConclusionDeep inferior epigastric artery perforator flap has stable blood supply and flexible design, which is similar to the perianal and perineal tissues. The good effectiveness can be obtained to use this flap for repair of perineal and perianal cicatricial contracture.