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The scar band rotation flap
Masahiro Murakami1, Hiko Hyakusoku, Rei Ogawa
1Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Nippon Medical School Hospital, 1-1-5 Sendagi Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8603, Japan. masa2@nms.ac.jp
Burns : Journal of the International Society for Burn Injuries
|February 3, 2005
Summary
This study introduces a scar band rotation flap technique for reconstructing finger and interdigital contractures after extensive burns. This method effectively releases scar contractures, improving function in affected areas.
Area of Science:
- Plastic Surgery
- Reconstructive Surgery
- Burn Scar Management
Background:
- Postburn scar contractures frequently impair function in finger joints and interdigital spaces.
- Life-saving skin grafts for extensive burns can lead to marginal scarring and subsequent contractures.
Observation:
- A scar band rotation flap, a subcutaneous pedicled skin island flap, was utilized for reconstruction.
- This flap incorporates the scar band, graft surface, and adjacent normal skin.
Findings:
- The technique was applied to seven patients (ages 4-72) over 10 years for finger joint and interdigital space contractures.
- Successful reconstruction of four finger joints and eight interdigital spaces was achieved with no flap loss.
- The normal skin within the rotated flap effectively divided the scar band, releasing the contracture.
Implications:
- The scar band rotation flap is a viable and effective method for reconstructing small postburn scar contractures.
- This technique offers favorable outcomes for improving function in challenging anatomical locations like fingers and interdigital spaces.
- It provides a valuable reconstructive option following extensive burn treatment requiring skin grafting.