title: Combined rectus abdominis muscle/paraumbilical flap and lower abdominal flap for the treatment of type III circumferential electrical burns of the wrist.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Type III circumferential electrical burns of the wrist are one of the most severe electrical injuries, involving rather extensive necrosis, progressive blood circulatory embarrassment and a high amputation rate. This injury poses a challenge for vascular reconstruction and wound coverage. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of the combined rectus abdominis muscle/paraumbilical flap and lower abdominal flap for the treatment of type III circumferential electrical burns of the wrist.
  
  
  METHODS
  Six men (age, 19-32 years; average, 21 years) with type III circumferential electrical burns of the wrist were included. After thorough debridement, the volar wound was repaired with a partial rectus abdominis muscle/paraumbilical flap and the dorsal wound was repaired with a lower abdominal flap.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Flap survival was complete in all six patients. During a follow-up of 6-12 months, the flaps showed good texture and shape. No abdominal hernia occurred in any patients. The scar on the abdominal wall was acceptable.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The combined rectus abdominis muscle/paraumbilical flap and lower abdominal flap has large wound coverage potential and offers a new, easy, safe option for the treatment of type III circumferential electrical burns of wrist.
authors.affiliation: Department of Burns and Plastic Surgery, Beijing Jishuitan Hospital, Beijing 100035, PR China.
authors.forename: Xiao-hua
authors.initials: XH
authors.lastname: Hu
authors.forename: Feng-jun
authors.initials: FJ
authors.lastname: Qin
authors.forename: Zhong
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Zu-yao
authors.initials: ZY
authors.lastname: Shen
authors.forename: Yu-ming
authors.initials: YM
authors.lastname: Shen
mesh_terms: D034861:Abdominal Wall / Q000601:surgery*; D000328:Adult; D002058:Burns, Electric / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D006085:Graft Survival; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000601:surgery*; D017568:Rectus Abdominis / Q000637:transplantation*; D013524:Surgical Flaps; D016378:Tissue Transplantation / Q000379:methods*; D060053:Transplant Donor Site / Q000601:surgery; D014954:Wrist Injuries / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Electrical burns; Flap; Wrist