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The burned small finger
1State University of New York, Stony Brook.
Clinics in Plastic Surgery
|July 1, 1992
Summary
Preventing boutonniere-like deformities in small fingers after burns involves understanding fifth digit anatomy and graft contraction. Composite tissue expansion offers an alternative for recurrent hyperextension deformities.
Area of Science:
- Plastic surgery
- Hand surgery
- Burn reconstruction
Background:
- Postburn deformities of the small finger are common.
- Boutonniere-like deformities can occur without direct central slip extensor tendon injury.
- Long-standing deformities may recur after surgical reconstruction.
Purpose of the Study:
- To highlight preventable causes of postburn small finger deformities.
- To discuss the evaluation of extrinsic extensor tightness in recurrent deformities.
- To present composite tissue expansion as a reconstructive option.
Main Methods:
- Review of anatomical differences in the fifth digit.
- Principles of graft contraction in burn scar management.
- Evaluation of soft tissue-to-skeleton relationship.
- Application of composite tissue expansion for tendon and skin grafting.
Main Results:
- Anatomical considerations and graft contraction principles can prevent certain deformities.
- Extrinsic extensor tightness may signal altered soft tissue-to-skeleton relationships.
- Composite tissue expansion is a viable alternative for reconstruction.
Conclusions:
- Preventable postburn deformities of the small finger require attention to specific anatomical features.
- Recurrent hyperextension deformities necessitate evaluation of extensor mechanism tightness.
- Composite tissue expansion provides a novel approach for complex reconstructions.