title: Reconstruction of the burned palm: full-thickness versus split-thickness skin grafts--long-term follow-up.
abstract: The long-term results of full-thickness (N = 11) and split-thickness (N = 14) skin grafts for reconstitution of the palmar surface following release of palmar burn scar contractures in pediatric patients are compared. Patients treated with full-thickness skin grafts required 1.2 +/- 0.4 operations (mean +/- SD). Patients treated with split-thickness skin grafts required 1.3 +/- 0.6 operations (mean +/- SD). No significant difference in the number of operative procedures was noted. No functional difference existed between the two groups. The use of split-thickness skin grafts provided comparable function without increased operative procedures and was less deforming. Increased use of split-thickness skin grafts following release of palmar burn scar contractures in pediatric patients should be considered.
authors.affiliation: Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Shriners Burns Institute, Galveston, Texas.
authors.forename: J M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Pensler
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Steward
authors.forename: S R
authors.initials: SR
authors.lastname: Lewis
authors.forename: D N
authors.initials: DN
authors.lastname: Herndon
mesh_terms: D002056:Burns / Q000150:complications / Q000601:surgery*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003286:Contracture / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery*; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006225:Hand / Q000601:surgery*; D006230:Hand Injuries / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D008722:Methods; D016038:Skin Transplantation