title: [General principles of burn reconstruction].
abstract: The aims of burn reconstruction should be to preserve, restore, and maintain function and appearance so the patient can recover a social life. Reconstruction surgery is delayed until the scar tissue has fully matured; it occurs generally by 9 to 12 months or more (merits of vitro-pressure test). Exception in presence of severe contracture (growth disturbance, unstable scars, corneal exposure with ectropion, severe microstomia) Occupational and physical therapy, scar management, compressive techniques, psychotherapy are all integral components of burn rehabilitation, but the place of plastic surgeon is fundamental all along the process.
authors.affiliation: Service de chirurgie réparatrice et esthétique, faculté de médecine Toulouse-Rangueil, 3, rue du Languedoc, 31000 Toulouse, France. costagliola.m@wanadoo.fr
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Costagliola
mesh_terms: D002056:Burns / Q000209:etiology / Q000534:rehabilitation / Q000601:surgery*; D002921:Cicatrix / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery*; D003286:Contracture / Q000209:etiology; D004483:Ectropion / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery; D005151:Facial Injuries / Q000534:rehabilitation / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D033183:Interdisciplinary Communication; D008865:Microstomia / Q000517:prevention & control; D019647:Oral Surgical Procedures; D010348:Patient Care Team; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D011379:Prognosis; D019651:Plastic Surgery Procedures / Q000379:methods; D020127:Recovery of Function; D016038:Skin Transplantation; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014945:Wound Healing