title: Reconstruction of thoracic burn sequelae by scar release and flap resurfacing.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  In the USA, 450,000 thermal burns receive medical treatment annually. Burn scars are commonly excised and covered with skin grafts. Long-term, these treatments commonly leave patients with discomfort, reduced total lung capacity and forced vital capacity, and restriction of thoracic expansion and shoulder joint mobility. In this article, we present our experience with using scar release and immediate flap reconstruction to treat thoracic restriction due to burn sequelae.
  
  
  METHODS
  From 1998 to 2014, we enrolled 16 patients with anterior thoracic burn sequelae that had previously been treated conservatively or with skin grafts that eventually recidivated. Preoperatively, we measured thoracic circumference in expiration and inspiration, %FVC, %FEV1, and shoulder mobility. All patients underwent anterior thoracic scar release and immediate flap resurfacing.
  
  
  RESULTS
  At 2 weeks to 3 months postoperatively (mean, 2.6 months), mean thoracic circumference upon inspiration increased from 83.6 cm±5.7 to 86.5 cm±5.8 (p<0.0000000001). Mean %FVC improved from 76.0%±2.64% to 88.2%±4.69% (p<0.0000001). Mean %FEV1 improved from 79.2%±3.85 to 87.8%±2.98 (p<0.000001). All 14 patients who had restricted shoulder mobility preoperatively no longer had restricted shoulder mobility postoperatively. The mean patient-reported satisfaction was 4.6/5 (range, 3-5). At a mean follow up of 2.5 years, none of the contractures recidivated. Complications included 2 cases of tissue necrosis of the distal end of the flap. In one case, the flap was restored; in the other case, the patient eventually had to receive a new flap. Additional complications included two local infections that were successfully treated with oral and local antibiotics and two hematomas that were drained and eventually healed without tissue loss.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Scar releases and flaps provide a safe and effective method for the correction of restricted thoracic expansion, respiratory restriction, decreased range of shoulder motion, and discomfort from thoracic burn sequelae.
authors.affiliation: Centario 133, Buenos Aires, 1405 Argentina.
authors.forename: Claudio
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Angrigiani
authors.affiliation: Centario 133, Buenos Aires, 1405 Argentina.
authors.forename: Guillermo
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Artero
authors.affiliation: Centario 133, Buenos Aires, 1405 Argentina.
authors.forename: Gaston
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Castro
authors.affiliation: University of Michigan Medical School, 1113 Freesia Ct, Ann Arbor, MI 48105, USA. Electronic address: rkkhouri@med.umich.edu.
authors.forename: Roger K
authors.initials: RK
authors.lastname: Khouri
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001118:Argentina; D002056:Burns / Q000601:surgery*; D002648:Child; D002921:Cicatrix / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D003286:Contracture / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D005541:Forced Expiratory Volume; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009929:Organ Size; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular; D019651:Plastic Surgery Procedures / Q000379:methods*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012785:Shoulder Joint; D016038:Skin Transplantation; D013524:Surgical Flaps; D013898:Thoracic Injuries / Q000601:surgery*; D013909:Thorax / Q000473:pathology; D014797:Vital Capacity; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: ALT flap; DIEP flap; Pulmonary function; Restricted thoracic expansion; SIEA flap; Thoracic burn sequelae