title: Preexpanded vertical trapezius musculocutaneous flap for reconstruction of a severe neck contracture after burn injury.
abstract: Preexpanded flaps are a method to replace a larger postburn contracture area. We describe the use of a preexpanded vertical trapezius musculocutaneous flap for reconstruction of a severe mentosternal contracture in a 10-year-old male patient with second- to third-degree burn wounds. A 500 cm(3) rectangular-shaped tissue expander was inserted under the trapezius muscle via a lateral incision in first stage. Two months later, after serial expansion of the expander, the neck scar was excised. The preexpanded flap (size = 27 x 9 cm) was harvested and rotated into the defect. The donor site could be closed primarily. The flap totally survived. The hospital stay was 7 days. After 6 months follow-up, a significant improved range of motion with good esthetic outcome was achieved. The use of a preexpanded trapezius flap can provide thin, large, and pliable tissue for reconstruction of a severe mentosternal scar contracture with excellent functional outcomes.
authors: Department of Plastic Surgery, Hand Surgery, Burn Center, University Hospital Aachen, Aachen, Germany.
authors: Dietmar
authors: D
authors: Ulrich
authors: Paul
authors: P
authors: Fuchs
authors: Norbert
authors: N
authors: Pallua
mesh_terms: D002056:Burns / Q000150:complications / Q000601:surgery*; D044964:Cervicoplasty / Q000379:methods*; D002648:Child; D017439:Cicatrix, Hypertrophic / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000601:surgery*; D003286:Contracture / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D019838:Neck Injuries / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery*; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular; D013524:Surgical Flaps