Reconstruction of Wrist and Forearm with use of Anterolateral Thigh Free Flap in High Tension Electrical Burn Patients

전기 화상 환자에서 수근부 및 전완부의 전외측 대퇴근막 유리 피판술을 이용한 재건

The wrist and forearm are a frequently damaged area in high tension electrical injury as an input or output of the current. Electrical burns affecting the wrist and forearm may produce full thickness necrosis of the skin and damage deep vital structures beneath the eschar, affecting the local tendons, nerves, even bones and joints which result in serious dysfunction of the hand. From January 1997 to December 2001, we had treated 20 patients with high tension electrical burn in the wrist and forearm using anterolateral thigh free flap. Average follow up period were 24 months and we get satisfactory results both in functional and aesthetic aspects. This flap is considered useful in one-stage reconstruction of wide and large soft tissue defect combined with arterial injuries.