Once Burnt, Twice Burnt: The Vulnerability of Insensate Flap Reconstructions

The occurrence of a burn injury in the same region as a previous burn is unusual outside the context of deliberate self-harm. Accidental burn injuries sustained to insensate flap reconstructions have previously been well reported in autologous breast reconstruction. Reports of such injuries in distant flap reconstructions of the hand and forearm are however unusual. This case report describes a 40-year-old man who required a pedicled groin flap to reconstruct a burn injury on the ulnar border of his hand. Three years later, he suffered a burn to the same area whilst using an oven. This case highlights the importance of counselling patients with insensate reconstructions regarding increased care and vigilance against inadvertent injury.