The postburn severe flexion contracture neck correction with split-thickness skin graft: Our experience

Abstract

Introduction: One of the most common burn sequels is postburn contracture (PBC) neck. These contractures affect the patient significantly causing both functional limitations and distorted aesthetic appearance. Therefore, the reconstruction of the head-and-neck area is a challenge for surgeons to restore not only the function but also to improve the esthetic appearance. Materials and Methods: We conducted a tertiary hospital-based prospective study in 12 patients with cases of severe PBC that underwent split-thickness skin graft (SSG) cover as a treatment modality and evaluated the results after the operative procedure in terms of function and appearance of the neck and its complications. Result of the function evaluated with respect to the range of extension movement of the neck –good 120°or more, fair 90°–120°, and bad 120° in nine cases and fair esthetic appearance in eight cases and good in four cases. Conclusions: The excision of all scar tissue is possible only in few cases, but the incision releases were required in the majority of severe neck contractures. The STS grafting is a simple, reliable, and safe operation. Sheets of unmeshed SSG in the neck and lower face resulted in better postoperative neck function, the cosmetic appearance in terms of color match, and cervicomental angle.

Keywords

• aesthetic
• cervicomental angle
• difficult intubation
• postburn contracture
• split-thickness skin graft