• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.34 no.5
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• pp.587-592
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• 2007

Purpose: In case of postburn flexion contracture of the fingers, skin graft, geometrical relaxation techniques, local flap, and free flap have been used. Among these procedures, full-thickness skin grafts from the inguinal area are widely used to reconstruct a postburn flexion contracture in the fingers. But there are many esthetic and functional problems in this procedure. Especially, hyperpigmentation of the skin-grafted fingers poses a troublesome problem, particularly in the patients who have dark colored skin. To solve the problem, we have used pulp graft which was harvested from the lateral aspect of great toe. In the present study, we report pulp graft, with which we have obtained a good result in the treatment of postburn flexion contracture of the fingers. Methods: Between September of 2004 and August of 2006, great toe pulp graft was performed to 20 sites of 15 patients. After release of the postburn flexion contracture using Z-plasty, the composite tissue (pulp) harvested from the lateral aspect of great toe was grafted on the raw surface. Moisture dressing with ointment and foam dressing material was performed. Stratum corneum of the graft got stripped off in two to four weeks after pulp graft. The color of the pulp graft was slightly reddish, then it became similar to the adjacent tissue. Results: There was complete take in all the patients who were treated with pulp graft. Great toe pulp graft provided similar color and texture to the adjacent skin, high rate of graft take, and left only a minimal scar at donor site. Conclusion: Thick keratin layer and inelastic nature of the pulp make this type of the graft much easier and simpler, and ensure a better take. Pulp graft is useful method for the reconstruction of the postburn flexion contracture in fingers.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.51 no.1
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• pp.126-129
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• 2024

The square flap method has been successful in releasing contracture bands at various body regions. However, the original square flap method alone may not be efficient in releasing long contracture bands. We, therefore, proposed an extended design to the traditional design, which is called the "square-plus flap." A 4-year-old girl presented with a postburn web-like contracture band over the right axilla. We marked a square flap technique at the center of the contracture band and then two additional Z-plasties were placed on both edges of the flap. After the release and securing of the square flap, the adjacent distal Z-plasty was then transposed and sutured in their new locations. We do not need to incise the proximal Z-plasty as we could achieve complete relaxation of the contracture band. This novel modification can be added to the plastic surgeon's armamentarium for releasing long postburn contracture bands involving distinct body regions.

• Journal of the Korean Burn Society
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.74-76
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• 2021

Postburn scar contracture of sole can cause musculoskeletal deformity, restricted range of motion, and decreased quality of life. It is very important to exhibit similar characteristics of the sole when reconstructing the sole because it has to resist shearing force and weight bearing. In this case, we performed medialis pedis free flap for the postburn scar contracture of the sole and the flap survived without complication. The patient satisfied with functional and aesthetic outcomes. Medialis pedis free flap, which is harvested adjacent to the sole, can show similar characteristic of the sole and maintain adequate contour. Moreover, this flap can be harvested without sacrifice of major vessel or nerve. Due to these advantages, medialis pedis free flap can be an ideal option for the reconstruction of the sole.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.37 no.1
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• pp.83-86
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• 2010

Purpose: Authors present the case of 2 patients who underwent extended Latissimus dorsi myocutaneous flap to reconstruct postburn breast deformity. Methods: A 39-year-old woman and 18-year-old woman with postburn breast deformity visited for reconstruction. The nipples were preserved but normal breast development did not occur due to scar contracture. Burn scar contracture was released by excision of the restricting burn scar and breast mound was reconstructed with extended Latissimus dorsi myocutaneous flap. Additional contracture release with multiple z-plasty was performed at the axillae and medial portion of breast. Results: Postburn breast reconstruction using Latissimus dorsi myocutaneous flap showed natural shaped breast mound and inframammary fold. There was no significant complication in both cases. Conclusion: Latissimus dorsi myocutaneous flap provide sufficient skin and soft tissue and it could be an effective method for reconstruction of postburn breast deformity.

• Journal of the Korean Burn Society
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• v.23 no.1
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• pp.25-29
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• 2020

This paper presents our clinical experiences for reconstruction of the linear depressed postburn scar band by rhombus subcutaneous pedicle skin flap (RSPF). We report new RSPF, it's versatility, and effectiveness for correction of the mild to moderate linear depressed postburn scar band. To correct the postburn scar band, we have newly designed the Rhombus Subcutaneous Pedicle Skin Flap (RSPF), which is made as rhombus-shaped skin flap on the inside of scar band. After excision of burn scar band, the each vertex of RSPF flap is advanced into the skin defects at apex of extended skin incision, which is starting from the upper and lower portion of the removed burn scar band at a near right angle. This flap can add more extra skin to adjacent superior and inferior area of excised scar band. We have experienced 2 cases of RSPF for reconstruction of linear depressed postburn scar band deformities in lower extremity. After 3 weeks to 3 months postoperative follow ups, relatively satisfactory results were obtained in all cases. We had successfully reconstructed the linear depressed postburn scar postburn band of lower extremity using the rhombus subcutaneous pedicle skin flap. For the correction of mild to moderate sized linear depressed postburn scar band deformities in extremity, the RSPF is simple, and very effective without donor morbidity.

• Archives of Reconstructive Microsurgery
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• v.22 no.2
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• pp.90-93
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• 2013

Old post burn contractures on feet still remain challenging problem for reconstructive surgeon. A 43-year-old male visited Hallym University Sacred Heart Hospital with the complain of foot deformity and difficulties in shoe fitting. His right 4th and 5th toes were inverted at dorsal foot. We released the contracture of 4, 5th metatarsophalangeal joint and lengthened extensor tendon by Z-plasty, and covered the resultant defect with the anterolateral thigh flap. The flap was successful and the deformity was corrected. As there have been few reports on reconstruction of foot dorsum, especially on post burn extension contractures in the toes, we report a rare case of contracture release and coverage by free flap.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.34 no.1
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• pp.64-69
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• 2007

Purpose: The key of treatment in syndactyly is to separate the fused digits safely, and to create a normal web space with enough cutaneous coverage. Despite many techniques have described the correction of syndactyly, skin graft still remains the annoying one. We designed the pentagonal flap from hand dorsum to reconstruct the web space reliably and try to minimize the need for skin graft. Methods: Between July 2003 and August 2005, six cases of syndactyly were corrected at UCLA Medical Center and Hallym University Sacred Heart Hospital using dorsal pentagonal flap for web space reconstruction and straight incisions for the sides of digits to minimize the need for skin graft. The proximal edge of the pentagonal flap was designed in V shape to allow for easy closure of the donor site after advancement. The pentagonal flap was advanced volarly with the underlying dermofat tissues to form a digital web. In some cases, skin defects were unavoidable and covered with full thickness skin graft from the inguinal area. Results: Syndactyly were seen in 4 cases of Apert syndrome, 1 postburn scar webbing with PIP joint contracture and 1 recurrence after the incomplete reconstruction. In all Apert syndrome, straight line incision was used along the sides of the fingers and skin graft was needed. But, in 2 cases of incomplete type, we could save the need for skin graft only for the correction of syndactyly. We could get a good looking web space without any complications such as flap or graft loss. Conclusion: As a modification of Sherif's V-Y dorsal metacarpal flap, we believe pentagonal flap could be one of the easiest and safest way to reconstruct the web space of syndactyly in functional and cosmetic standpoint.