title: [Correction of claw hand deformity after burns by elastic traction].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To investigate a new method for correction of claw hand deformity after burns.
  
  
  METHODS
  From May 2006 to Jul. 2010, 12 patients with claw hands deformities after burns were treated with skin grafts (11 hands) and skin flap (1 hand) with unsatisfactory results. Then elastic traction (skin traction or skeletal traction) were performed with individual functional brace.
  
  
  RESULTS
  All patients were followed up for 0.5 to 2 years. Elastic traction was effective in the correction of metacarpophalangeal joint deformity, buttonhole deformity, thumb-in-palm deformity, scar contracture, and palmar arch deformity.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Elastic traction is a simple and effective way for the correction of claw hand deformity after burns with less morbidity and stable results.
authors.affiliation: Department of Burns and Plastic Surgery, Taigang General Hospital, Taiyuan 030009, China.
authors.forename: Chun-Sheng
authors.initials: CS
authors.lastname: Hou
authors.forename: Zhen-Ming
authors.initials: ZM
authors.lastname: Hao
authors.forename: Jin
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Lei
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002056:Burns / Q000150:complications*; D002921:Cicatrix / Q000601:surgery; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006227:Hand Deformities, Acquired / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016038:Skin Transplantation / Q000379:methods; D013524:Surgical Flaps; D014143:Traction / Q000379:methods; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult