Background: Treating burn scar contractures remains challenging for reconstructive surgeons; no clear guidelines declare the optimal and most effective technique. We evaluated the efficacy of local flaps in treating patients with post-burn contractures.
Methods: This retrospective study included 243 patients with post-burn contractures referred to Taleghani Hospital (Khuzestan, southwest Iran) for local flap reconstruction from 2011 to 2020. Patients' demographic data, detailed descriptions of scars, surgical procedures, and flap outcomes were assessed. A plastic surgeon conducted all surgical procedures, the goals of which were to release the scar and cover the defect. Joint range of motion (ROM) (according to goniometric measurements), complications, need for second-stage surgery, and patient satisfaction were assessed.
Results: After scar release, 70.4% of joints were covered with a Z-plasty and similar local flaps, 26.1% with a Z-plasty plus skin grafts, and 3.5% with only skin grafts. The outcome after one year revealed a significant improvement in mean ROM (by 45.80% of the normal ROM; P< 0.001). The mean functional and aesthetic satisfaction scores were 9.45 and 7.61 out of 10, respectively. The complication rate was 10.82%: re-contracture occurred in 3.82%, flap tip necrosis in 1.27%, and partial flap necrosis in 0.31%.
Conclusion: Simple local flaps such as the Z-plasty are safe and effective in covering the joint following post-burn contracture release. Due to the feasibility, minimal need for facilities, steep learning curve, acceptable functional and aesthetic outcomes, and low complication rate, we strongly recommend the Z-plasty for reconstructing burn contractures, particularly in LMICs.
Keywords: Burn; Contracture; Flap; Reconstruction; Z-plasty.