The Role of Local Fasciocutaneous Flaps in Total Burn Wound Management.

Publication/Presentation Date

10-1-1992

Abstract

The majority of acute burn wounds or delayed reconstructions are best managed simply with a skin graft. However, if vascularized tissue is mandatory, the local fasciocutaneous flap may have an important role in providing a single-stage technique for obtaining tissue nearly identical in color, texture, and consistency to that of the defect being restored. This review of 182 consecutive burn patients needing surgery found that they underwent 233 separate episodes for skin grafting. Appropriately, only a fraction of this number required some form of vascularized flap, with 14 patients having 21 local fasciocutaneous flaps. Six were elevated in previously skin-grafted regions, which is an advantage peculiar to this flap type. Three flaps (14 percent) suffered major complications requiring a second surgical intervention. Only six of all flaps were used for acute burn wounds, but two of the three complications accrued in this subset, with one directly attributable to wound infection. Since most flaps were required for either coverage or release of contractures about joints, it has been recommended that the initial surgical approach for treatment of the acute wound in these regions be altered to preserve the fascial plexus whenever possible to permit the use of this simple and expedient alternative if it is needed later.

Volume

90

Issue

4

First Page

629

Last Page

635

ISSN

0032-1052

Disciplines

Medicine and Health Sciences | Other Medical Specialties | Plastic Surgery | Surgery

PubMedID

1409999

Department(s)

Department of Surgery, Department of Surgery Faculty

Document Type

Article

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