Specifically designed external fixators in treatment of complex postburn hand contractures

Area of Science:

• Orthopedic Surgery
• Burn Reconstruction
• Rehabilitative Medicine

Background:

• Severe postburn contractures of the hand and wrist often result in significant functional loss.
• Previous surgical interventions frequently fail to adequately address complex deformities and soft tissue limitations.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the efficacy of external fixators in managing severe, late postburn contractures of the hand and wrist.
• To assess the potential of external fixators as a soft tissue lengthening technique in complex burn reconstruction.

Main Methods:

• A retrospective case series involving five patients treated with external fixators for severe, late postburn hand/wrist contractures.
• Follow-up averaged 30.2 months, assessing functional outcomes and the role of external fixators in soft tissue lengthening.

Main Results:

• All five patients achieved at least one hand function post-reconstructive surgery.
• External fixators proved beneficial in cases with fixed joint and severe soft tissue contractures, including those with prior surgical failures.
• Four patients experienced total loss of hand function pre-operatively, with functional recovery observed post-treatment.

Conclusions:

• External fixators are a valuable tool for treating severe, complex, and late postburn contractures of the hand.
• This method demonstrates utility as a soft tissue lengthener in challenging burn reconstruction scenarios.
• The use of external fixators offers a viable solution for patients with failed previous surgeries and significant functional deficits.