title: Free tissue transfer in the treatment of linear scleroderma.
abstract: Linear scleroderma is a subtype of localized scleroderma that most commonly affects children. The disease is rare, and the course is unpredictable. Most cases spontaneously resolve in 3-5 years. A small number, however, slowly progress to involve deeper subcutaneous tissues, muscles, and periosteum. Subsequent joint contractures and gross disturbances are frequent. Little on treatment is recorded in the literature. We report on four children who, in addition to bony procedures and release of joint and ligamentous contractures, had excision of the diseased skin and free soft-tissue transfer for coverage.
authors.affiliation: Division of Hand Surgery, Mayo Clinic and Mayo Foundation, Rochester, Minnesota 55905, USA.
authors.forename: J A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Katarincic
authors.forename: A T
authors.initials: AT
authors.lastname: Bishop
authors.forename: M B
authors.initials: MB
authors.lastname: Wood
mesh_terms: D000843:Ankle Joint / Q000503:physiopathology; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003286:Contracture / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery*; D004551:Elbow Joint / Q000503:physiopathology; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007719:Knee Joint / Q000503:physiopathology; D008297:Male; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular; D012594:Scleroderma, Localized / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery*; D013524:Surgical Flaps