The use of subcutaneous pedicle rhomboid flap in the treatment of postburn scar contractures.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the efficacy and versatility of subcutaneous pedicle rhomboid flap in the treatment of linear or wide postburn scar contractures located in various parts of the body.


METHODS
Twenty-three patients (aged 5 to 35 years) with postburn linear and wide scar contractures were treated with 31 subcutaneous pedicle rhomboid flaps. Rhomboid flaps were applied in the trunk (4 flaps), head and neck (5 flaps), lower extremity (5 flaps), and upper extremity (17 flaps). In 3 cases, Z-plasty was incorporated to the technique due to inadequate release.


RESULTS
All rhomboid flaps healed uneventfully. In 28 contractures, rhomboid flaps alone were efficient to release the tension line (90.3%). Tip necrosis of the triangular flaps of Z-plasty in 1 case was the only complication seen that later led to recontracture.


CONCLUSIONS
Clinical results indicated that subcutaneous pedicle rhomboid flap is a simple, efficient, and versatile technique in release of any postburn scar contracture. As no undermining is carried out, the flaps are more reliable than commonly used Z-plasty. Again contrary to Z-plasty, displacement of anatomic landmarks such as axillary hair and areola is rare with the technique.
Ankara Social Security Association Hospital, Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Ankara, Turkey. nilgunm@hotmail.com
Nilgün Markal
NM
Ertaş
Nebil
N
Bozdoğan
Orhan
O
Erbaş
Ilker
I
Usçetin
Ahmet
A
Küçükçelebi
Selim
S
Celebioğlu
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001132:Arm; D001365:Axilla; D002056:Burns / Q000150:complications* / Q000601:surgery*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D002921:Cicatrix / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery*; D003286:Contracture / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007866:Leg; D008297:Male; D019651:Plastic Surgery Procedures / Q000379:methods; D016038:Skin Transplantation / Q000379:methods*; D013524:Surgical Flaps