Paediatric upper limb contracture release following burn injury.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was to assess the functional outcome in children who had undergone release of upper limb burn contractures at the axilla, elbow and wrist.


METHODS
We studied a series of 10 patients reconstructed with local flaps (n = 5), Integra artificial skin (n = 10) and micro-vascular free tissue transfer (n = 5) to release contracted axillae (n = 8), elbows (n = 5) and wrists (n = 7). Follow-up ranged from 6 months to 6 years and outcome was assessed by functional improvement.


RESULTS
Full functional release was achieved in all cases at the time of the surgery. Local flaps resulted in good or excellent outcomes in all five cases. Six patients reconstructed with Integra were assessed as having an excellent outcome whereas four had a poor outcome. Free tissue transfer with excellent result was achieved in five children.


CONCLUSIONS
This series assessed the three treatment options that we have used for the release of upper limb post-burn contractures. We have shown that local flaps fashioned from burnt skin survive, Integra requires extended post-operative care to prevent recontraction and free tissue transfer is safe in young children. Each method when used appropriately has produced excellent results which have been maintained over the follow-up period.
Division of Plastic Surgery, Department of Surgery, Prince of Wales Hospital, Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, New Territories, Hong Kong, SAR.
R C
RC
Young
A
A
Burd
D000293:Adolescent; D001134:Arm Injuries / Q000601:surgery*; D001672:Biocompatible Materials / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002056:Burns / Q000150:complications / Q000601:surgery*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D002809:Chondroitin Sulfates; D003094:Collagen; D003286:Contracture / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D019651:Plastic Surgery Procedures / Q000379:methods*; D016038:Skin Transplantation / Q000379:methods; D017768:Skin, Artificial; D013524:Surgical Flaps; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D001672:Biocompatible Materials; C114835:integra artificial skin; D002809:Chondroitin Sulfates; D003094:Collagen