Mini-abdominoplasty in burn reconstruction.

Area of Science:

• Plastic Surgery
• Reconstructive Surgery
• Burn Management

Background:

• Full-thickness skin grafts are preferred over split-thickness grafts for burn reconstruction due to reduced contracture.
• Abdominal skin, particularly from infraumbilical excess, is a potential donor site for large grafts.
• Existing donor sites like the groin yield limited skin quantities.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the efficacy and safety of mini-abdominoplasty as a donor site for full-thickness skin grafts in burn reconstruction.
• To assess the quantity and quality of skin harvested via mini-abdominoplasty.
• To analyze donor site morbidity and long-term outcomes.

Main Methods:

• A retrospective review of 12 patients undergoing mini-abdominoplasty solely for skin harvesting for burn reconstruction.
• Procurement of full-thickness abdominal skin grafts.
• Assessment of graft size, donor site complications, and patient outcomes.

Main Results:

• Mini-abdominoplasty provided large quantities of full-thickness skin grafts, with sizes up to 40 × 15 cm in adults.
• The technique proved effective and safe for reconstruction, offering large graft availability.
• Donor site complications were rare, primarily seromas and wound dehiscence.

Conclusions:

• Mini-abdominoplasty is an effective and safe method for obtaining substantial full-thickness skin grafts for burn reconstruction.
• This approach offers advantages over other donor sites regarding graft quantity and reduced contracture.
• The procedure yields favorable functional outcomes with low donor site morbidity.