title: Neck burn reconstruction with pre-expanded scapular free flaps.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The reconstruction of neck contracture deformities after severe burns is challenging. This is due to insufficient tissue to resurface the large defect after local flap transfer as well as the poor functional and cosmetic results after traditional methods such as skin grafting. We employed free transfer of pre-expanded scapular flaps to reconstruct postburn neck deformities.
  
  
  METHODS
  In the first stage, skin expansion was performed with tissue expanders ranging from 400 to 800 mL according to the neck defect size and expanders were filled to their end volumes. In the second stage, the contracture in the neck was released and the unstable scar was resected. The pre-expanded scapular flap was then harvested and transferred to the neck defect. Flap revisions were performed 3-12 months after flap transfer.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total of 12 flaps (100%) were successful. The contour, colour, and texture of flaps matched well to the nearby skin. The range of motion of the neck was significantly improved. The donor defects were closed directly except for one case, which required skin grafting.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The free tissue transfer of pre-expanded scapular flap is a valuable tool in neck burn reconstruction. It can be used safely and effectively with minimal morbidity in selected patients.
authors.affiliation: Department of Plastic Surgery, Xijing Hospital, University of The Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, China. Electronic address: songbq2012@163.com.
authors.forename: Baoqiang
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Song
authors.affiliation: Department of Plastic Surgery, Xijing Hospital, University of The Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, China.
authors.forename: Bo
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Xiao
authors.affiliation: Department of Plastic Surgery, Xijing Hospital, University of The Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, China.
authors.forename: Chaohua
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.affiliation: Department of Plastic Surgery, Xijing Hospital, University of The Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, China.
authors.forename: Lin
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: He
authors.affiliation: Department of Plastic Surgery, Xijing Hospital, University of The Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, China.
authors.forename: Yang
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Li
authors.affiliation: Department of Plastic Surgery, Xijing Hospital, University of The Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, China.
authors.forename: Feng
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Sun
authors.affiliation: Department of Plastic Surgery, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA.
authors.forename: Kia M
authors.initials: KM
authors.lastname: Washington
authors.affiliation: Department of Plastic Surgery, 260th Hospital of PLA, Shijiazhuang, China.
authors.forename: Yalan
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Hu
authors.affiliation: Department of Plastic Surgery, Xijing Hospital, University of The Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, China.
authors.forename: Dongyue
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Hao
authors.affiliation: Department of Plastic Surgery, Xijing Hospital, University of The Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, China.
authors.forename: Juan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.affiliation: Department of Plastic Surgery, Xijing Hospital, University of The Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, China. Electronic address: shuzhong2009@yahoo.com.cn.
authors.forename: Shuzhong
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Guo
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001415:Back; D002056:Burns / Q000601:surgery*; D044964:Cervicoplasty / Q000379:methods*; D002648:Child; D015331:Cohort Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D019838:Neck Injuries / Q000601:surgery*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016038:Skin Transplantation / Q000379:methods*; D013524:Surgical Flaps; D015626:Tissue Expansion / Q000379:methods; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Burn reconstruction; Scapular flap; Tissue expansion